Why is this important?

Since NYC Compost Pickup started in 2014, tons of organics have been removed from our waste stream. This public health initiative has meant fewer rats, improved air and water quality, and reduced carbon impact.  NYC Composting enriches the soil in local parks and teaches the fundamentals of the environmental economy’s virtuous circle.

One third of what New Yorkers throw away is food scraps and yard waste. Instead of sending it to landfills, we can continue to use this waste to create compost and renewable energy.

We need to invest in creating sustainable, resilient, and equitable communities. We thank DSNY for the 315 weeks of Organics Recycling that have just come to an end. But now is no time to sacrifice our public health.

We are worried that under the guise of the pandemic this program has been cancelled and will never return. The decision was made without input, without proper process, and without transparency.

How would we pay for it?

In other cities with organics collection, like Toronto, the sanitation departments have reduced regular garbage collection. Households that appropriately recycle paper, plastics and organics do not need the same level of regular garbage collection. Reducing garbage pick up when Organics is back is one way to balance the cost of the program.