Boro Park Will No Longer Be Allowed to Let Food Scraps Go to Waste

M.C. Millman

On Thursday, June 8, the New York City Council approved a bill requiring New York City residents to separate food and yard waste from regular trash. 

The newly approved bill comes after the mayor's $45 million endeavor to have the Department of Sanitation provide curbside compost pickup throughout New York City neighborhoods, as reported in March by BoroPark24 here. 

"By 2024, residents of all five boroughs will have access to clean, convenient curbside compost pickup from the Department of Sanitation," said Mayor Adams at a press conference where he announced the launch of his new voluntary program. 

Unlike the mayor's announcement in March, the new plan approved on Thursday by the City Council is not optional. Residents will be required to separate their food waste much as they are required to separate their recyclable items or risk being fined. Queens already participate in Adam's optional program but will be required to separate the food and yard waste along with Brooklyn starting in October. The Bronx and Staten Island will begin in March, and Manhattan will join in October of next year.

The Sanitation Department will be able to fine building and business owners who do not use the new organics bins more than four times in six months, similar to how the current recycling program works.

As part of the program, the Sanitation Department will have to provide new information about the program's progress in reducing the amount of trash sent to landfills.