Composting is no stranger to NYC–last year Queens became home to one of the largest curbside composting programs in the country, and, following its success, the program is set to extend through all five boroughs by 2024.
But soon composting is going to be more than something you just do when you feel like it.
As reported by The New York Times, the New York City Council approved a bill this past Thursday, June 8, that will mandate composting by 2024.
Referred to as the “Zero Waste Act,” the bill will advance NYC’s efforts to divert organic waste from landfills, fight climate change, and create a greener, more sustainable future for all New Yorkers.
The five-bill legislative package consists of:
- Goals to become a zero waste city by 2030
- A mandatory residential curbside composting program
- Requiring annual reporting on Zero Waste efforts
- Creating community food scrap drop-off sites
- Establishing new community recycling centers in the five boroughs
New Yorkers produce over 11,000 tons of residential waste daily, but by separating their food waste from regular scraps, this number can be drastically improved.
“With the passage of the Zero Waste Act, the New York City Council has taken a critical step forward to achieving the sustainable future New Yorkers deserve,” said Speaker Adrienne Adams. “Through increased access to composting and recycling sites, all New Yorkers will now be able to participate more equitably in our collective goal of diverting all recyclables and organic waste from landfills and incinerators by 2023.”
The mandate will be introduced borough by borough, beginning with Brooklyn and Queens this October. The Bronx and Staten Island will follow suit in March 2024, followed by Manhattan in October 2024, says The New York Times.
New Yorkers living in public housing will be exempt from the mandate.
The New York Times reports that though unclear if Mayor Adams will sign it, the bill appears to have enough support to override a mayoral veto.