January offers a quiet but powerful opportunity to reset. As the city slows down and winter settles in, it becomes a moment to reflect on the habits we want to build and the values we want to carry forward. Composting is one of those simple, everyday practices that can make a lasting difference, even in the coldest months. Composting helps reduce waste, supports healthier soil, keeps organic material out of the trash stream, and contributes to cleaner streets and stronger neighborhoods. Beginning the year with this habit is a simple, meaningful way to care for the city and the communities we live in. Learn more about NYC’s composting options and how to participate below!
How Curbside Composting Works in NYC, especially in Winter:
People may be surprised to learn that composting practices can happen year-round, even in the winter. With the city’s mandatory curbside composting program now available citywide, food scraps can go straight outside your home without needing to travel to a drop-off site. Compost is collected through the curbside program once a week on your regular recycling day. This makes it easier to stay consistent, especially when cold weather keeps people closer to home.
To participate, compost should be set out close to the curb on your recycling day in a bin with a secure, closed lid. Bins must be 55 gallons or less and labeled for composting. Residents can use a DSNY brown bin or any clearly labeled bin with a compost decal on top (order your free decal here). Lining your bin with clear plastic, paper, or compostable bag can help keep the bin clean during winter and make emptying easier. NYC’s curbside composting program accepts more than many people expect. Residents can compost all food scraps, including meat, bones, shells, and dairy, along with prepared foods, leftovers, food-soiled paper like greasy pizza boxes and uncoated paper plates, and all leaf and yard waste, including flowers and Christmas trees. Composting is now mandatory for all NYC residents, which means these materials must be separated from trash. Property owners may receive warnings or fines if compostable material is not properly separated, and buildings with four or more units are required to provide clearly labeled compost bins in designated storage areas to support participation.
If you’re looking for more details on curbside composting, including pickup schedules and bin guidelines, you can find everything on NYC Sanitation’s curbside composting page HERE.
Big Reuse’s curbside composting outreach team plays a key role in helping to spread awareness and provide education, supporting buildings and residents across NYC. Through community tabling events, school programs, residential outreach, building presentations, and digital education, they help answer common questions like what belongs in the compost bin, how to store scraps in winter, and how to avoid contamination. You can learn more about where outreach has already taken place and how to request support for your building, school, or community on Big Reuse’s curbside composting outreach page.
Community Composting and Drop-Off Options:
In addition to curbside composting, community composting remains an important option for many New Yorkers. FOOD SCRAP DROP-OFF SITES hosted by Big Reuse offer a local composting option that keeps the beneficial compost within the community. These smaller-scale systems turn plant-based food waste into finished compost that can be returned to nearby gardens, tree beds, and green spaces. Community composting helps people see the full cycle of compost in action, from food scraps to soil. It also strengthens neighborhood connections by keeping composting visible and accessible, even during the winter months. Learn more about our community composting program here.
Beyond food scrap drop offs and providing composting education (learn about the Master Composter program here), Big Reuse also offers ongoing volunteer opportunities for anyone who wants to get more hands-on with composting and food waste diversion. Throughout the year, volunteers help process compost and support operations at sites like Randall’s Island and Sky Farm, turning food scraps into finished compost that goes back into local soil. These recurring volunteer days are great ways to learn more about composting, meet others who care about sustainability, and directly support New York City’s composting network. You can find upcoming compost volunteer opportunities and sign up through Big Reuse’s Eventbrite page: HERE
Continued Community Engagement:
Over the past year, Big Reuse has continued to bring composting education to life across New York City by meeting people where they are and showing what composting looks like in practice. In 2025, community members and volunteers joined us at composting sites throughout the city, including SkyFarm in Long Island City, JH Scraps in Jackson Heights, and Smiling Hogshead Ranch. At these sites, participants helped sift and turn compost, break down food scraps, and maintain systems that support local gardens and green spaces. These hands-on experiences make composting tangible, helping people see how everyday food scraps become healthy soil that supports trees, plants, and urban farms.
Composting education also reached classrooms and youth programs, where curiosity and connection were at the center of learning. During a recent visit with a fourth-grade class in Glendale, students explored why sorting food scraps matters, how compost supports their communities, and the role worms play in the process. After meeting the worms and learning how they help break down organic material, students eagerly gave them names, turning a science lesson into a moment of joy and ownership. Experiences like these help composting feel approachable, memorable, and part of everyday life, planting the seeds for lifelong habits. As we move into the New Year, Big Reuse remains committed to expanding composting education, community engagement, and hands-on opportunities across the city. By continuing to connect neighbors, students, and volunteers to the composting process, we are helping build a culture of care that starts with small actions and grows into lasting impact.
Our composting work in FY26 was funded by NYC City Council, and we thank them for making all of these programs possible! Thank your Council Member here.
Written by NYSERDA Fellow Tatiana Guerra