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

Under the new rules, residential buildings would have up to three options:

• Place items out after 6 PM in a secure container (bundled cardboard can also be placed next to the container), or
• Place items out after 8 PM if putting bags directly on the curb, or
• If a building has nine or more residential units, the property owner may opt in to a 4 AM to 7 AM set-out window instead. 
  • The opt-in period would run for the month of January each year, allowing DSNY to design quick and efficient routes that take effect April 1.

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

Enforcement Grace Period

DSNY will not begin issuing summonses to residents or businesses until May 1, 2023. 

During this 30-day grace period, DSNY will only give written warnings. Please note that anyone who receives a written warning will be among the first places inspected for compliance starting 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.

Place your labeled bin or bag curbside between 4 PM and midnight the evening before your compost pickup day.

• 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.

Queens

Weekly curbside composting service in all of Queens resumed on March 27, 2023.

If you are a Queens resident, your compost collection day is the same as your recycling day.

Participating Community Boards in Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan

Disposal Rules

Put leaf and yard waste in a labeled bin or bag separate from the 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.

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 is no longer providing replacement brown bins for residents who previously received a bin from the City.

If you previously received compost collection, you can use the brown bin you already have.

If you do not have a brown bin, you can use any rigid plastic 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.

In general, there is no collection on sanitation holidays, but that is subject to change. You can check back near the date of the holiday to confirm the collection schedule.

Usually:

• If a holiday occurs on your trash or compost collection day, put your items out after 4 PM that day for collection beginning the next day.
• If a holiday occurs on your recycling collection day, put your items out after 4 PM the day before your next scheduled recycling collection day.

2023 Sanitation Holidays

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

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.

Register to attend a Compost Giveback Event.