The New York City Council has passed a bill requiring residents to separate their food waste from regular trash, similar to recyclable items. The mandate will be implemented borough by borough, starting with Brooklyn and Queens in October, followed by the Bronx and Staten Island in March 2024, and Manhattan in October of that year. The aim is to reduce organic waste sent to landfills, which produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. While the mayor’s voluntary composting program exists, the new legislation makes composting mandatory. The bill also mandates the establishment of e-waste recycling and organics collection centers in each borough, with the goal of eliminating recyclables and organic matter from the waste stream by 2030. The legislation aims to bring New York City’s waste management practices up to date and enforce compliance with fines, although enforcement may be limited. However, public housing residents are exempt from the mandate due to federal oversight. Despite challenges, composting infrastructure is expected to improve, potentially diverting a significant portion of the city’s waste from landfills.

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/08/nyregion/food-composting-nyc.html