NYC breaks composting records for three consecutive weeks

CITYWIDE — NEW YORKERS HAVE BROKEN COMPOSTING RECORDS FOR THE THIRD CONSECUTIVE WEEK, collecting and separating more than six million pounds of food and yard waste, the city Department of Sanitation announced on Friday, Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving. DSNY collected 6,062,000 pounds of food and yard waste during the week ending Saturday, Nov. 22, topping the two previous weeks, where residents set out 6 million pounds and 5.9 million pounds, respectively.

DSNY collects all leaf and yard waste, food scraps and food-soiled paper on recycling days; acceptable items are meat, bones, shells, dairy, cooked foods, and even greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes. Also in the compostable category are fall leaves and holiday trees. No preregistration is required, and residents can use any bin 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, with or without a paper, compostable or clear plastic liner.

Material collected in DSNY’s curbside composting program is converted into finished compost for parks and gardens, or into renewable energy to heat local homes and businesses, reducing the need for gas.

This year alone, DSNY donated more than eight million pounds of finished compost to residents through a network of regular pickup sites and pop-up events around the city.

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