To me, as a current NYSERDA Fellow at Big Reuse, November feels like a time to slow down and reconnect with people I care about, usually over a good meal. After the plates are cleared and the celebration winds down, I always notice how much is left behind. That’s where composting comes in. Instead of tossing food scraps, we can bring them to a compost drop-off, orange Smart Bin, or set them on the curb on our recycling day as part of the city’s mandatory citywide curbside composting program, and help turn leftovers into something new, creating rich compost that nourishes our city’s trees and gardens. It’s a small way to give back to the earth and keep New York City growing strong.
Where to Compost in New York City
Composting in New York City is easier than ever, no matter where you live. Whether you’re in an apartment, a house, or somewhere in between, there are many options to give your food scraps a second life. The city’s mandatory curbside composting program now reaches all five boroughs, so you can set your scraps out for weekly pickup alongside your recycling on your recycling day. Place them in a brown bin or any bin with a closed lid under 55 gallons that has a DSNY curbside composting decal (order the decal for free here) on the curb outside your building. You can line the bin with any bag except black trashbags, or leave unlined. Any type of food scraps, food-soiled paper, or yard waste can go inside - and can be mixed together in the bin.
You can also bring your compost to one of the many community drop-off sites hosted by groups like Big Reuse and the NYC Community Compost Network, or look for one of the bright orange Smart Bins placed around the city. Find and unlock available Smart Bins using the free NYC Compost app for iOS or android. Check out DSNY’s list of Smart Bin locations and food scrap drop offs here. If you are using a food scrap drop off site, make sure to look up what types of food scraps they accept - many do not accept meat, bones, or dairy.
If you’d rather compost at home, groups like the New York Botanical Garden have easy guides to help you get started. However you choose to compost, every bit you contribute helps build healthy soil and keeps our trees and gardens thriving all year long.
What You Can Add to the Compost Bin
Composting is one of the simplest ways to make a difference with what’s left on your plate. Whether you’re composting through the city’s curbside composting program, using one of the orange Smart Bins, or bringing your scraps to a community compost site like ones hosted by Big Reuse, it helps to know what goes where.
The city’s curbside composting and Smart Bin programs accept all kinds of food waste, including fruit and vegetable peels, meat, bones, dairy, leftovers, and more because everything is processed at large industrial sites designed to handle it safely.
Community composting programs and home composting systems work a little differently. Areas available for composting are usually smaller and often run by volunteers, so they typically only take plant-based items like fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, tea bags, and eggshells. These types of materials break down quickly and help make nutrient-rich compost that supports trees, gardens, and green spaces in NYC.
Here’s what you can compost, and why it actually matters.
Good to Compost:
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Fruit and vegetable scraps — These break down quickly and add valuable nutrients to the soil, helping new plants grow strong and healthy. Remove any stickers first!
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Coffee grounds and paper filters — They’re full of nitrogen, which helps keep the compost balanced.
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Tea bags (no staples) — Like coffee, tea adds nutrients and moisture. Just take out any staples first.
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Eggshells — Crushed eggshells release calcium, a key mineral that strengthens plant cell walls.
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Bread, grains, pasta, and rice — These add carbon and help feed the tiny microbes that break everything down.
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Nuts and seeds — They’re full of nutrients and break down better if you crush them first.
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Old or spoiled produce — Even if it’s gone bad, it still helps the compost pile.
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Small amounts of cooked food (no heavy oil or sauce) — These are okay in moderation, especially if you mix in more dry materials like leaves or paper.
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Pizza boxes — These might not be as suited to community garden composting systems, but definitely put these in Smart Bins and in your curbside composting bin!
Only Put these items in Smart Bins or Curbside Composting Bins:
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Meat, fish, bones, or dairy
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Grease, oils, or butter - cooked leftover food
Keep Out of Any Composting System:
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Plastic, foil, or packaging — These don’t break down and contaminate the compost.
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Diapers and pet waste — This can carry bacteria that isn’t safe for compost used in gardens or around trees.
By composting your food scraps, you’re helping turn everyday waste into something that gives back to the city we share. Each apple core, coffee filter, or eggshell you drop off helps the city breathe a little easier. Together, we can turn leftovers into life and keep our neighborhoods growing strong.
Check out Big Reuse’s food drop-off locations or see what composting can do for the trees in your neighborhood by joining us as a Street Tree Care volunteer.
Written by NYSERDA Fellow Tatiana Guerra.