Bin there, done that: NYC set to reinstate curbside compost collection

New York City’s curbside compost collection is scheduled to resume in full force by the end of the year. Photo via Mayor’s Office

By Rachel Vick

The brown bins are back.

New York City’s curbside compost collection program will resume later this year, Mayor Bill de Blasio said Thursday.

De Blasio marked Earth Day by unveiling a number of organic waste collection initiatives, including the resumption of curbside pick-up. 

After a year on hold due to budget cuts, the Department of Sanitation will resume a number of compost operations, including the Curbside Composting Program, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced Thursday.

“Today is Earth Day, but New York City’s commitment to sustainability is year-round,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “No other municipality ran a compost program like ours, and this new citywide program will advance the cause of environmental justice in all five boroughs.”

The relaunched program will be available to all 3.5 million past participants, and newly interested buildings or residents can apply through the Department of Sanitation until August, with collections scheduled to begin in October.

The city has also committed to doubling food scrap drop off sites to 200 by restoring GrowNYC Greenmarket sites and installing new “smart bins” that connect to an app intended to prevent misuse. 

Between September 2020 and February 2021,1.3 million pounds of food waste was collected by the food scrap drop off program, according to DSNY. 

Compost collection from public schools will also resume in time for the 2021 school year.

"Huzzah, the brown bins are back!" said Ben Furnas, director of the Mayor's Office of Climate and Sustainability. "Reducing emissions from our waste stream and making important actions like composting more accessible are key to the fight against climate change.”
A map of drop-off locations is available on the Sanitation website..