New Yorkers are once again facing fines for failing to separate organic waste for composting, a policy quietly reinstated by Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration upon taking office. The fines, starting at $25, had been paused last year by then-Mayor Eric Adams after only a brief period in effect.
A History of Policy Shifts
The composting program, rolled out citywide in 2024, was initially touted as a key achievement of the Adams administration’s “war on rats.” However, Adams paused the fines for buildings with 30 or fewer units in spring 2025 during his re-election campaign, with a stated plan to resume enforcement in 2026. Since Mamdani took office, sanitation inspectors have issued 425 summonses for non-compliance, though few were issued during a recent snowstorm.
Sanitation officials are authorized to inspect waste and levy fines up to $200 for repeat offenders, targeting both small and large buildings. Despite the program, the vast majority of New York City’s organic waste – 94% last month – still ends up in landfills. Participation rates vary by borough, with Queens leading at 2,484 tons collected last month, while the Bronx and Staten Island lagged behind at 730 and 648 tons respectively.
Low Compliance and Potential Savings
Compliance with composting rules remains low. In the weeks following the brief implementation of fines last spring, 10% of organic waste was composted, but that figure dropped to 6% last month. Eric Goldstein, New York City environment director at the Natural Resources Defense Council, noted that inconsistent enforcement sends “mixed messages.” He also highlighted the potential financial benefits of a successful composting program, stating the city spends “almost $500 million a year exporting our trash to landfills and incinerators.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I don’t compost?
Landlords of both small and large buildings can be fined for failure to participate in the composting program. Fines start at $25 and can reach $200 for repeat offenders.
How many summonses have been issued since Mayor Mamdani took office?
Sanitation inspectors have issued 425 summonses for failure to compost since Mayor Mamdani took office, with very few issued during the recent snowstorm.
What percentage of New York City’s organic waste is currently composted?
Last month, only 6% of organic waste across the five boroughs was composted, with 94% going to landfills.
Will consistent enforcement of composting fines lead to increased participation and a reduction in landfill waste remains to be seen.
