Curbside composting service is currently available for all residents in Queens and Brooklyn.

Service is also available for residents who previously signed up in the following Community Boards:

• Bronx
  • Community Board 8 (Kingsbridge, Riverdale)

• Manhattan
  • Community Board 6 (Stuy Town & Peter Cooper Village, Midtown East, Murray Hill)
  • Community Board 7 (Manhattan Valley, Upper West Side, Lincoln Square)

You can look up the Community Board for your address on the Community Boards page.

DSNY is no longer accepting new sign-ups for the opt-in program. If you have already opted-in, you will continue to receive service.

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) changed the usual time for placing trash, recycling, and compost out at the curb for collection. The new set-out times will help keep city streets clean and reduce food sources for rats.

Under the new rules, residential buildings must: 

• Place waste out after 6 PM in a secure container of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, or
• Place waste out after 8 PM if putting bags directly on the curb.

Bundled cardboard and bulk items can be placed out any time between 6 PM and midnight.

Appliances containing CFC must be placed out between 6 PM and midnight the evening before the scheduled CFC and Freon Removal appointment.

To ensure collection, all waste must be set out no later than midnight the night before your collection day.

The new set-out times went into effect on April 1, 2023.

Opt-in for Morning Setout for Multi-Unit Buildings

Property owners of buildings with 9+ residential units and a janitorial staff may opt in to a 4 AM to 7 AM setout window during the yearly application period. The opt-in period only runs between January 1 and January 31 each year. 

The application period to opt into this alternate set-out time is currently closed.

If your application was approved, your building’s set-out time will be in effect beginning April 1, 2024 through March 31, 2025. If your building was not approved for an alternate set-out time, you must follow the set-out times for all other residential properties.

Buildings currently enrolled in the 4 AM to 7 AM set-out window cannot set out waste at any other time. Violators are subject to enforcement penalties. After two penalties, the property will be removed from the morning opt-in program.

Enforcement Grace Period

Enforcement grace period for new set-out times ended on May 1.

Policy Feedback

You can submit feedback to DSNY about the new set-out time policy.

Queens and Brooklyn

Compost is collected every week on the same day as recycling for all residents in Queens and Brooklyn.

Select Areas in Manhattan and the Bronx

The Curbside Composting collection schedule for residents who previously signed up for service in Manhattan and the Bronx is based on address.

Suspensions may occur for a City holiday or during a snowstorm.

How to Compost

Food Scraps and Food-Soiled Paper 

Food scrap and food-soiled paper composting is mandatory in Queens and Brooklyn.

Place in any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid or in your DSNY brown bin. Line your bin with any kind of bag to keep it clean. Tie the bag closed before putting the bin out for collection.

Leaf and Yard Waste 

Leaf and yard waste separation from trash is mandatory in Queens and Brooklyn.

Place in any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid or in your DSNY brown bin, paper lawn and leaf bag, or clear plastic bag. Bundle twigs and branches with twine and place on curb next to bins or bags.

Note: You can mix food scraps with leaf and yard waste only if you are using a bin with a secure lid. Owners of buildings with 4+ units must provide a storage area and clearly labeled bins for the collection of yard waste. 

Order a free Composting Bin Decal online at nyc.gov/CompostingBinDecal.

Set-Out Times for Curbside Composting

Compost is collected every week on the same day as recycling. 

Set composting out the night before your collection day: 

• After 6 PM in a container of 55 gallons or less with a secure lid, or 
• After 8 PM, if putting bags of leaf and yard waste directly on the curb. You can mix food scraps with leaf and yard waste only if you are using a bin with a secure lid. 

To ensure collection, all waste must be set out by midnight before your collection day.

Note: Bulk material should be set out on any collection day that is not your compost/recycling day. 

What to Compost 

DSNY will collect all leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper.

This includes meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, and greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes.

Learn how to dispose of specific items.

What Not to Compost 

Do not compost trash, such as:

• Diapers
• Personal hygiene products
• Animal waste
• Wrappers
• Non-paper packaging
• Foam products

Do not compost recyclable materials. Visit the Recycling Rules page to learn more about what you can recycle.

DSNY does not provide new or replacement brown bins for residents already receiving Curbside Compost collection.

The last day for Brooklyn residents to order a free brown bin was October 13, 2023. 

If you are currently receiving Curbside Composting collection and need a new or extra bin, you can use any labeled bin (max: 55 gallons) with a secure lid. You can line your bin with any bag. Order a free Composting Bin Decal online at nyc.gov/CompostingBinDecal.  

If your collection day falls on a holiday, there may be changes to your collection schedule. 

Make sure to always check back near the date of the holiday to confirm the exact guidelines.

2024 Sanitation Holidays