Spring in New York City is bringing more composting programs, with more drop-off sites and free kitchen compost bins. In Queens, residents can look forward to free 40-pound bags of compost starting April 23, as the City of New York Department of Sanitation enhances its green efforts. “The amount of compost collected from City residents skyrocketed this spring, with the Department collecting more than 2.5 million pounds in one week alone,” Javier Lojan told Gothamist.
This compost giveaway at 77-28 19th Avenue in Astoria is part of a broader city initiative following the expansion of curbside composting to all boroughs last October. Up-to-date public data indicates an uptick in composting, with a notable rise from under 4% in March to 5.52% of the city’s organic residential waste being composted in April. This improvement aligns with the city starting to levy fines on April 1 against property owners who aren't abiding by the new composting regulations.
The sanitation department's Staten Island Compost Facility, responsible for transforming organic waste into useful compost, has seen its capacity soar: it can now process upwards of 200 million pounds of material annually. Meanwhile, Brooklyn and Staten Island residents have access to their respective compost giveback sites, enhancing the city's green thumb. The Queens Compost Giveback Site will welcome the community on Wednesdays from 5 pm to 7 pm and Saturdays from 8 am to 10 am, commencing on April 23 and continuing until September 27, as detailed by Gothamist.
Meanwhile, Brooklyn isn't getting left behind in the composting department. State Sen. Roxanne J. Persaud's office became a focal point on April 5, where residents could pick up small kitchen compost bins, a must-have following the new composting rules enforced citywide. "Registration was required to pick up a new bin but is now closed," as detailed in an announcement broadcasted by PIX11. For those who missed out on the giveaway, purchasing options for the specialized bins can be found online.
With fines starting at $25 and able to climb up to $300 for non-compliance, New Yorkers have a financial incentive to embrace the burgeoning compost culture.
