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 application period to opt into this alternate set-out time is currently closed. The opt-in period only runs between January 1 and January 31 each year.

If your application was approved, your building’s set-out time will be in effect between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024. 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.

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

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

• Bronx
  • Community Board 8 (Kingsbridge, Riverdale)

• Brooklyn
  • Community Board 1 (Williamsburg, Greenpoint)
  • Community Board 2 (DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill, Brooklyn Heights)
  • Community Board 6 (Red Hook, Gowanus, Carroll Gardens, Park Slope)
  • Community Board 7 (Sunset Park, Industry City, Windsor Terrace, South Slope)

• 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.

The City is no longer accepting new sign-ups, since Curbside Composting will eventually be expanded citywide. 

If you are a resident in a current service area and you already signed up, you will continue to receive service. 

The Curbside Composting collection schedule for your home is based on your address.

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

Disposal Rules

Put leaf and yard waste in a labeled bin or bag separate from the trash. You can use paper lawn and leaf bags or clear plastic bags. This is currently mandatory for Queens residents only. Residents in all other boroughs are strongly encouraged to separate leaf and yard waste from trash.

Put food scraps and food-soiled paper products in a bin (max: 55 gallons) with a secure lid. Label your bin with a free Composting Bin Decal. You can order decals online at nyc.gov/CompostingBinDecal. You can line your labeled bin with a plastic or paper bag.

Set-Out Times

Place your compost curbside the evening before your compost collection day:

• Between 6 PM and midnight if it's in a bin with a secured lid, or
• Between 8 PM and midnight if it's in bags

If your pickup is before 4 PM, you must retrieve your bin by 9 PM. If your pickup is after 4 PM, you must retrieve your bin by 9 AM the following morning.

Items Accepted

Food Waste

• Food scraps
• Coffee grounds and tea bags
• Shells (seafood, nut, and egg)
• Bones
• Spoiled and expired food
• Food-soiled paper (napkins, towels, uncoated plates, bags, trays, or boxes)

Yard Waste

• Leaves
• Grass
• Small twigs and branches
• House plants and flowers
• Hay bales

Items Not Accepted

• Trash, including
  • Diapers and hygienic products
  • Animal waste or kitty litter
  • Wrappers and packaging
  • Foam products
• Recyclables, including
  • Metal
  • Glass
  • Plastic
  • Beverage cartons
  • Clean recyclable paper
  • Cardboard

The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) does not provide new or replacement brown bins for residents already receiving Curbside Compost collection.

Only residents receiving Curbside Compost collection for the first time will get a new brown bin from DSNY. This includes residents in:

• Brooklyn (service begins on October 2, 2023)
• The Bronx and Staten Island (services begins on March 25, 2024)
• Manhattan (service begins on October 7, 2024)

If you are currently receiving compost collection, you can use any rigid plastic bin (max: 55 gallons) with a secure lid to set composting out for curbside collection. Label your bin with a free Composting Bin Decal which you can order online at nyc.gov/CompostingBinDecal. 

You can line your labeled bin with a plastic or paper bag.

Request a New Brown Bin

Brooklyn residents receiving compost collection for the first time can now request a free brown bin. The last day to request a bin is October 13, 2023. All bin requests will be fulfilled before Brooklyn service begins.

Only one brown bin will be provided per address:

• Single family homes will receive a 13 gallon bin.
• Multi-unit buildings will receive a 21 gallon bin.

If you need more bins, you can use your own (55 gallons or less with a secure lid).

Bronx and Staten Island residents can request brown bins starting in early 2024. More information for those boroughs will be available soon.

In general, there is no collection on sanitation holidays, but that is subject to change. 

Usually, if a holiday occurs on your:

• Trash or compost collection day: Put your items out that same day after 6 PM (if in a bin with a secured lid) or after 8 PM (if in bags) for collection beginning the next day.
• Recycling collection day: Put your items out on the evening before your next scheduled recycling collection day after 6 PM (if in a bin with a secured lid) or after 8 PM (if in bags). 

You should check back near the date of the holiday to confirm the exact collection schedule.

2023 Sanitation Holidays

New York City residents can receive free compost made in New York at Compost Giveback Events.

You must register online before attending an event. Only one ticket per person is allowed. If carpooling, each person must bring their ticket and present ID showing a distinct address.

Businesses are not eligible for free compost. Commercial vehicles will not be serviced at the events.

Event dates, locations, and registration instructions are available online. If no events are available, check back later.

Register to attend a Compost Giveback Event.