Introduction to Sanitation Pauses Fines
The Adams administration announced Friday it is relaxing its enforcement on violations of a new citywide composting mandate, just weeks after it began issuing fines. Since October, all city residents have been required to separate their food waste and yard trimmings from other trash, and owners of properties with at least four apartments have had to set out bins for curbside collection. The Department of Sanitation began issuing fines for noncompliance on April 1.
Background on the Composting Mandate
The Department of Sanitation reported it collected a record 3.6 million pounds of organic material during the second week of April. The previous record was 3.2 million pounds of organics collected over a week in November 2024, during the height of leaf season. In a statement, mayoral spokesperson Liz Garcia said the pause is intended to provide further education to New Yorkers about how to set aside food scraps and yard waste for collection.
New Policy on Fines
But the top deputy to Mayor Eric Adams directed the department to issue fines only to buildings with more than 30 apartments that have already received more than four warnings for violations. (Less than 3% of residences in the city have more than 30 units, according to the Department of City Planning.) This new policy will be in place until at least the end of the year, according to the mayor’s office. “We will conduct additional outreach and education on composting before issuing fines to the most persistent offenders who repeatedly refuse to compost,” she said. “Through the end of the year, we will be distributing additional education materials and holding more community events about how to sort out waste.”
Reaction to the New Policy
Pushing the change was Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro, as Hell Gate first reported and sources confirmed to THE CITY. Mastro had wanted DSNY to stop enforcement completely, citing a lack of public awareness about the requirements. The loosened enforcement regime came as a compromise, according to a source in the administration familiar with discussions. Mayor Eric Adams had been a strident supporter of the citywide composting mandates, especially as a strategy to fight rats. Amid some complaints from building managers that separating organics from other waste would be onerous, DSNY defended its enforcement as a means to ensure compliance.
Criticism and Support
Councilmember Shahana Hanif, who was the lead sponsor on the citywide composting bill that became law, slammed the mayor and Mastro for undermining the law. “This is another overstep from the Administration and a blatant disregard for the will of the Council,” she said in a statement. “This constantly shifting guidance undermines public trust, decreases community buy-in, and ultimately threatens the program’s success and long-term cost savings.” Councilmember Shaun Abreu, chair of the Council sanitation committee, also criticized the administration for undermining the city’s zero-waste goals and for its funding cuts of community groups to do public outreach ahead of the citywide composting roll out. Samantha MacBride, a sustainability professor at Baruch College who formerly worked for DSNY, welcomed the new focus on educating residents in lieu of issuing fines. “They haven’t done enough outreach and the fact that they are now acknowledging this is positive,” she said. “Targeting large complexes and repeat offenders is exactly the right kind of thinking.”
Conclusion
The decision to pause fines for failing to compost is a significant development in the city’s efforts to implement a citywide composting mandate. While some have criticized the move as undermining the law, others see it as a necessary step to educate residents and ensure compliance. As the city continues to navigate the challenges of implementing this mandate, it is clear that education and outreach will be key to its success.
FAQs
- Q: What is the new policy on fines for failing to compost?
A: The Department of Sanitation will only issue fines to buildings with more than 30 apartments that have already received more than four warnings for violations. - Q: Why was the new policy implemented?
A: The policy was implemented to provide further education to New Yorkers about how to set aside food scraps and yard waste for collection. - Q: How much organic material has the Department of Sanitation collected since the composting mandate began?
A: The Department of Sanitation reported it collected a record 3.6 million pounds of organic material during the second week of April. - Q: What has been the reaction to the new policy from city officials and experts?
A: Some officials have criticized the policy as undermining the law, while others have welcomed the focus on education and outreach.
