STATEN ISLAND, NY — New York City residents set a new composting record this month, with Staten Islanders leading in per capita participation, producing roughly one pound of compostable material per person each week.

According to the Department of Sanitation, during the week of Nov. 9 to 15, the five boroughs diverted 5.9 million pounds of food and yard waste from landfills. The record-breaking collection surpassed the previous highs.

In April, collections reached 3.6 million pounds, triple the amount from the same period the previous year. Subsequent weeks saw collections climb to 4.5 million pounds and then 5.24 million pounds before reaching 5.4 million pounds in late May.

This success is tied to the growing participation in the new citywide curbside composting program.

Mayor Eric Adams pushed the city’s mandatory compost program as part of his administration’s efforts to containerize the majority of trash in the five boroughs, and limit food sources for the local rat population. The administration first rolled out the mandatory program in Brooklyn and Queens in October 2024, and expanded the requirement to the Bronx, Manhattan and Staten Island in April 2025.

Since early April, the department has been issuing fines to high-density buildings that have accumulated at least four warnings of noncompliance. According to DSNY, as the program is still in a period of education, fines are reserved only for the worst repeat offenders.

Through this program, the Department of Sanitation is able to turn collected material into finished compost for parks and gardens. It can even be converted into renewable energy to heat homes and businesses.

This year, the agency distributed more than 8 million pounds of finished compost to residents through four regular distribution sites and dozens of popup events across the five boroughs.

The department collects all leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper from residents on their regular recycling day.

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