Sanitation Department Temporarily Suspends Curbside Compost Trash Collection

The New York City Department of Sanitation announced the suspension of the curbside composting program, beginning May 4, 2020. During the suspension, any food scraps and yard waste set out for composting will be collected as trash. The suspension is currently planned through June 30, 2021.

Residents with brown bins should store their bins in a safe location for the duration of the suspension, a statement by DSNY said.

DSNY also announced the indefinite suspension of appointments for curbside electronics collection, which had been halted due to the COVID-19 crisis.

There are no changes to the Department’s other curbside collection programs, including trash and mandatory recycling. Residents should follow their normal schedule and place their material at the curb after 4 p.m. but before midnight the evening before their collection day.

“These are painful cuts to make, and we do not take these changes lightly. The City is facing an unprecedented crisis, and these service reductions will allow the City to maintain emergency services and its core municipal services,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “We look forward to a day when we can restore our full suite of composting and electronics collection programs for City residents, and we thank all New Yorkers for their patience and cooperation as we implement these changes.