DSNY will collect all leaf and yard waste, food scraps, and food-soiled paper.

This includes meat, bones, dairy, prepared foods, and greasy uncoated paper plates and pizza boxes.

Learn how to dispose of specific items.

Disposal Rules

Food Waste

All food waste (food scraps and food-soiled paper) must be placed in any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid or in your DSNY brown bin. 

Line your bin with a clear plastic, paper, or compostable bag to help keep it clean. Tie the bag closed before putting the bin on the curb for collection.

Leaf and Yard Waste

Place in any labeled bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid or in your DSNY brown bin, paper lawn and leaf bags, or clear plastic bags.

Bundle twigs and branches with twine and place on curb next to bins or bags.

Mixing Food and Yard Waste

You can mix food waste with leaf and yard waste only if you are using a bin with a secure lid.

Compost Bins and Decals

Order a free Composting Bin Decal online at nyc.gov/CompostingBinDecal. Learn more about compost bins on the Trash, Recycling, and Compost Bins page.

Storage Areas

Owners and property managers of buildings with 4 or more units must provide a designated storage area with clearly labeled compost bins.

Set-Out Times

Compost is collected every week on the same day as recycling. 

Set composting out the night before your collection day: 

• After 6 PM, if using a bin, or 
• After 8 PM, if putting bags of leaf and yard waste directly on the curb. You can mix food scraps with leaf and yard waste only if you are using a bin with a secure lid. 

To ensure collection, all waste must be set out by midnight before your collection day.

Note: Bulk material should be set out on any collection day that is not your compost/recycling day. 

What Not to Compost 

Do not compost trash, such as:

• Diapers
• Personal hygiene products
• Animal waste
• Wrappers
• Non-paper packaging
• Foam products

Do not compost recyclable materials. Visit the Recycling Rules page to learn more about what you can recycle.

Residential property owners are responsible for making sure all waste for their building is set out correctly for collection.

Fines may be issued for each violation, and the amount may increase with each additional violation issued within a 12-month period.

Learn more about collection laws for residents.

Setout

If you set your waste out incorrectly or at the wrong time, or on the wrong days, you may be fined:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

Bins

If you use a bin that is broken or if waste spills out of your container, you may be fined:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

As of November 12, 2024, all New York City properties with 1-9 residential units must use a bin (55 gallons or less) with a secure lid for non-recyclable trash. 

The warning period ended on January 2, 2025.

After the warning period, failure to use a bin that is 55 gallons or less with a secure lid for trash set out will result in fines:

• $50 for the first offense
• $100 for the second offense
• $200 for the third and subsequent offenses

Separation

If you do not separate your recyclables and composting from trash, or if you do not properly separate and set out recyclables correctly, you may receive a fine.

• Buildings with 1 to 8 units:
  • $25 for the first offense
  • $50 for the second offense
  • $100 for the third and subsequent offenses

•  Buildings with 9 or more units:
  • $100 for the first offense
  • $200 for the second offense
  • $300 for the third and subsequent offenses

Property owners of buildings with 9+ residential units and a janitorial staff may opt in to a 4 AM to 7 AM setout window during the yearly application period.

The online application is open only during the opt-in period, which runs between January 1 and January 31 each year. 

If your application is:

• Approved, your building’s alternate set-out time is in effect from April 1, 2025 through March 31, 2026. 
• Not approved, you must follow the set-out times for all other residential properties.

Buildings currently enrolled in the 4 AM to 7 AM set-out window cannot set out waste at any other time. Violators are subject to enforcement penalties. After two penalties, the property will be removed from the morning opt-in program.

If you are already enrolled in the program, you do not need to reapply.

Submit an application for the Multiunit Building Collection Program.

Learn about DSNY’s alternative setout program for multiunit buildings, including how to opt out.

If your collection day falls on a holiday, there may be changes to your collection schedule. 

Make sure to always check back near the date of the holiday to confirm the exact guidelines.

2025 Sanitation Holidays