Ask Our Experts: What are the composting rules for New York City condos, co-ops, and rental buildings?

Starting October 6, 2024, curbside composting service became mandatory for condominiums, cooperatives, and multifamily rental buildings in New York City. While the program may be inconvenient for buildings to follow, enforcement began on April 1, 2025, and in just one week, the city issued nearly 2,000 fines for noncompliance.

While your building is ultimately responsible for composting, residents must participate by placing compostables in the correct bins.

Our in-house compliance team answered the most common questions to help NYC boards and building owners avoid violations and educate residents on basic composting and new requirements.
 

Why is composting necessary?

Data from GrowNYC shows that food comprises about 17% of NYC's waste stream. This material is sent to a landfill where it slowly decays and becomes a major contributor to methane gas production. When composted, however, food scraps and other organic waste become a useful product that adds nutrients and improves soil quality for street trees, gardens, and more, thereby creating a healthier environment for everyone.

The requirements were established under Local Law 85 of 2023 and are enforced through DSNY’s waste separation regulations, which give the city authority to mandate source-separated organics collection and issue violations for noncompliance.
 

What trash items should be composted?

Compostable items include food scraps, food-soiled paper, and plant waste. DSNY guidelines require placing organic waste in a labeled bin (55 gallons or smaller) with a secure lid. You may line your bin with a clear plastic, paper, or certified compostable bag, or leave it unlined. Liners must stay inside the lidded bin.

Acceptable items include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (no need to remove stickers)
   
• Coffee grounds and filters
   
• Tea bags (no need to remove staples)
   
• Bread, rice, and pasta
   
• Meat, bones, and dairy
   
• Moldy or spoiled food
   
• Greasy pizza boxes, napkins, and paper towels
   
• Certified compostable dishware (if BPI-labeled)
   
• Leaves and yard trimmings
   
• Houseplants and cut flowers

 

When is composting collected in New York City?

Composting is collected on the same day as recycling. Additionally, you can drop off your composting in any Smart Composting Bin located throughout the city. Find the nearest location here.

Landlords and condo/co-op boards are responsible for providing the appropriate compost bins, creating a plan for collection, communicating composting guidelines to residents, and training building staff on separation, storage, and disposal procedures. Buildings with four or more units must provide a dedicated storage area for compost.

FirstService has helped hundreds of boards and owners train building staff and implement compost disposal plans that make sense to residents. Contact our local team today.
 

What trash should not be composted?

Many items are non-compostable and should be placed in the trash or recycling, depending on the material.

Non-compostable materials include:

• Plastic items (including utensils, straws, wrappers, and bags not labeled compostable)
   
• Glass, metal, or foil
   
• Styrofoam (even food-soiled)
   
• Diapers and sanitary products
   
• Vacuum bags and dryer lint
   
• Pet waste or litter
   
• Cigarette butts or ashes
   
• Cleaning wipes (even if labeled “flushable” or biodegradable)
   
• Coated or plastic-lined paper products (like paper coffee cups)
   
• Grease or oil in liquid form

When in doubt, check DSNY’s website or call 311 to confirm proper trash disposal.
 

What is the fine or violation my building will receive for not composting?

Fines are issued per violation, and the cost increases per offense within a 12-month period.

If waste is set out at the wrong day or time or placed in the wrong container the fine is $50 for the first offense, $100 for the second, and $200 for each subsequent offense.

Failure to properly separate compost or recyclables from trash increases depending on the number of units at the property.

For buildings with one to eight units:

• $25 for the first offense
   
• $50 for the second offense
   
• $100 for the third and subsequent offenses

For buildings with nine or more units:

• $100 for the first offense
   
• $200 for the second offense
   
• $300 for the third and subsequent offenses

How can I encourage residents to compost?

"Make composting as easy and convenient as possible for residents. Clear signage, consistent communication, and easy access to specified bins will encourage residents to participate in the program. Some buildings use color-coded bins in trash rooms or provide residents with personal bins to make composting easier."

—Stephanie Cardello, vice president of FirstService Residential’s dedicated compliance team
  

 

Is my building exempt from New York City composting rules?

All residential properties in the five boroughs must comply with the 2025 composting rules, regardless of building size or ownership type. This includes condos, co-ops, and rental properties – both market-rate and rent-regulated.

Even buildings with private carting services must follow the same separation standards for organic waste. If a building chooses to use a private hauler instead of DSNY, it must confirm that the hauler is registered with the Business Integrity Commission and complies with composting regulations.
 

How can FirstService Residential help my building comply with the composting mandate?

FirstService Residential partners with buildings across New York City to simplify compliance with NYC composting rules. From managing logistics and scheduling training sessions to designing communication campaigns and responding to evolving regulations, our team can help make implementation seamless.
 
Contact us today to learn how our operational support and compliance expertise can help your building navigate the 2025 NYC composting rules.