NYC Enforces Mandatory Composting, Issuing Fines for Noncompliance

The Mamdani administration is cracking down on food and yard waste in the city's curbside composting program.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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New York City is fully enforcing its mandatory curbside composting program, issuing fines ranging from $25 to $300 for building owners who fail to separate food and yard waste from regular trash. The program, the largest in the country, aims to divert organic waste from landfills and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Despite some initial confusion, participation has been increasing, with the city collecting nearly 3.6 million pounds of compostable materials during the second week of April, more than triple the amount from the same period in 2024.

Why it matters

New York City's composting program is a key part of the city's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and fight climate change. By diverting organic waste from landfills, the program helps cut methane emissions and turns the waste into useful compost or biogas. The enforcement of the program, despite some initial pushback, shows the city's commitment to making composting a standard practice for all residents and businesses.

The details

Under the administration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the Department of Sanitation is fully enforcing the city's composting rules, issuing 425 summonses so far this year for failure to separate food and yard waste. The penalties, ranging from $25 to $300, are the same as those for failing to recycle. The city has also conducted over 1,500 information sessions and issued more than 40,000 warnings to educate residents and building owners about the program.

  • Since January 1, 2026, the city has been enforcing the composting rules across the board.
  • In April 2025, the previous mayor, Eric Adams, paused the penalties for smaller buildings until the end of 2025 to conduct more outreach and education.
  • In January 2026, the Mamdani administration resumed imposing fines for anyone failing to abide by the composting rules.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The current mayor of New York City, who is enforcing the city's mandatory composting program.

Eric Adams

The previous mayor of New York City, who temporarily paused the penalties for smaller buildings to allow for more outreach and education on the composting program.

Vincent Gragnani

A spokesman for the New York City Department of Sanitation, which is responsible for enforcing the composting rules and issuing fines.

Sandy Nurse

A New York City councilwoman who helped introduce the city's composting program.

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What they’re saying

“Since Jan. 1, we have been enforcing across the board.”

— Vincent Gragnani, Spokesman, New York City Department of Sanitation

“New Yorkers should not overthink this. Is this something I can eat? Or grow? Cool, it goes in the bin.”

— Sandy Nurse, New York City Councilwoman

What’s next

The city will continue to monitor compliance with the composting program and issue fines to building owners who fail to separate food and yard waste.

The takeaway

New York City's mandatory composting program is a significant step in the city's efforts to reduce its environmental impact and fight climate change. Despite some initial confusion, the enforcement of the program shows the city's commitment to making composting a standard practice for all residents and businesses.