Bronx leads New York City in composting violations as enforcement ramps up
DSNY officials say they issued nearly 7,000 tickets to New Yorkers who fail to comply with mandatory composting.
Curbside composting is required for all New York City residents, but participation dropped after a pause in enforcement during the Adams administration. Now, the Department of Sanitation is cracking down.
DSNY officials say they issued nearly 7,000 tickets to New Yorkers who fail to comply with mandatory composting. About 80% of those violations were written in just the past two and a half weeks. The agency points to the snow as something taking up resources in the winter, but now efforts are focused on composting enforcement.
In order to comply, residents must put their food and yard scraps in a bin with a lid. That bin should be set outside next to your recycling bin on your scheduled pick-up day.
But some Bronx residents say they're not interested in composting.
"I kind of think it's a little gross to put food in a container and leave it outside forever," said Diana Colamarino, a resident in Throggs Neck.
Another resident, Maria Molina, says composting is a great thing for the environment and her family.
"We put plastic bags inside the container so the food doesn't spill," Molina said. "It takes away the roaches and the house is cleaner."
For those who don't compost, DSNY is issuing tickets. Fines range from $25 to $100 for smaller buildings with one to eight units, and $100 to $300 for larger ones with nine or more units.
When it comes to composting, city data shows the Bronx has received the most tickets so far this year, followed by Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Staten Island. The city has also launched a new ad campaign to educate residents as enforcement continues.
