Community expresses mixed reaction to city's new composting mandate
The city issued nearly 2,000 tickets to violators during the first week of enforcement.
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Bronx residents say they have mixed feelings about the city's new composting mandate.
"I think that’s not a good idea for the people to have a separation of garbage and anything like that because everything should go where it belongs," said Stanley Jackson, of Throgs Neck.
He believes food scraps are meant for the trash, not composting bins the city is mandating residents use.
"It’s like mixing chemicals and that is a possibility that could be drawing something more infective that can hurt the people overall," said Jackson. "And we wouldn’t want that to happen."
But as of October, legislation requires New Yorkers to compost food and other organic material – with fines going into effect April 1 for anyone who doesn’t comply.
The city issued nearly 2,000 tickets to violators during the first week of enforcement.
"I'm OK with that," said Brianna, of Throgs Neck. "I don’t want any more rats and stuff like that."
Composting fines can range anywhere between $25 and $300 per offense. But some lawmakers say it’s just an unfair tactic for the city to make money at the expense of the working class.
"Absolutely, it’s a money grab because the single family homes, two family homes are the only ones that are getting tickets for this," said Councilwoman Kristy Marmorato.
According to her, over 100 fines have been issued within her district alone. She plans to introduce legislation next week to end mandatory composting.
"I understand the reason for composting. My grandmother used to do it when she lived upstate. But it’s just not realistic here in the city. we’re not set up for this."
Meanwhile, the city is praising composting efforts. The Sanitation Department confirms 2.5 million pounds of scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste were diverted for renewable energy or compost for gardens last week.
