Is New York City getting its composting program right?

Composting Fines for Buildings Are Back on in New York City

“There’s a lot more than just writing tickets that needs to be done to make this program solid and work in the long run,” one advocate says.By Lauren DalbanIn 2024, New York City’s Department of Sanitation rolled out a mandatory curbside organics collection program, aiming to reduce landfill waste and cut methane emissions by allowing residents to set out their food scraps once a week for collection and composting.

Is New York City getting its composting program right?

Evan Simon // Floodlight   On ground that was once the Fresh Kills landfill on Staten Island, trucks unload food scraps and yard waste, filling the air with the sharp tang of decaying garbage. Machines hum as they separate plastics and other contaminants from fruit and vegetable peels, leftovers and leaves, while speakers play fake bird sounds to keep scavengers away. Still, seagulls perch atop the slowly transforming compost, now resting in con…