Community education is at the heart of our composting work, which takes what might otherwise be seen as waste and turns it into something that nourishes life again. Over the past few months, our Curbside Composting Outreach team has been busy connecting with New Yorkers and helping them learn how to participate in the city’s curbside composting program - and how composting supports a healthier, greener city. From libraries and community events to high-rise building visits and schools, the team has been spreading knowledge and excitement about what it means to care for our shared environment and keep food scraps and yard waste out of landfills. This year has been an especially meaningful time for composting in New York City. With the citywide launch of the Department of Sanitation’s (DSNY’s) mandatory Curbside Composting program, NYC households now have access to weekly collection of food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste. Once a week on their recycling day, residents place 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 their building. They can line the bin with any bag except black trashbags, or leave unlined. This citywide effort represents a big step forward in how we think about waste. Instead of sending these materials to landfills, they are now transformed into rich compost that supports local gardens, parks, and street trees — giving back to the same spaces that give so much to us.
Between August-October 2025, the Curbside Composting Outreach team hosted 49 events, connected with 2,278 New Yorkers, and shared 1,200 kitchen containers and 100 leaf bags to increase awareness and understanding for composting, and make participating in the city’s curbside composting program easier. Each event offers attendees or passersby the chance to ask questions, learn something new, and feel more confident about composting. The team has received wonderful feedback from neighbors and community members who are eager to make a difference.
One building partner shared, “Incredible, very informative and wonderful presentation you conducted! We had a great turnout. Everyone commented on how knowledgeable, thoughtful, patient, and amazing the presentation was, including myself, in explaining the ins and outs of composting, recycling, and refuse disposal.”
Another participant reflected, “Judging from the comments of those who attended, many questions were clarified, leaving the impression that we now have a better understanding and are more comfortable with the policies and procedures than we were prior to your presentation.”
These moments remind us that compost education is not only about sharing facts. It is about building connections, encouraging curiosity, and showing people that small everyday actions can have a lasting impact on our city and our planet. The outreach team continues to grow its efforts, bringing composting information and support to residents and buildings across the city. Whether at a library, a street fair, or a classroom, each event helps more people see how easy and rewarding composting can be.
If you are interested in having a member of the Big Reuse team visit your community event, school, or high rise building to talk about composting, reach out to compostoutreach@bigreuse.org.
Learn more about the city’s curbside composting program here, including composting signage and resources, locating your curbside composting pick up day, and view training videos.