Fees for the Disposal of Yard Waste and Organic Waste

Effective date: October 13, 2024

Proposed Rule Full Text
DSNY-Proposed-Fees-for-the-Disposal-of-Yard-Waste-and-Organic-Waste-.pdf

Adopted Rule Full Text
Notice-of-Adoption-Fees-for-the-Disposal-of-Yard-Waste-and-Organic-Waste.pdf

Hearing transcript
124686_09.04.24_NYS-Department-of-Sanitation_Public-Hearing-1wi.pdf

Adopted rule summary:

Section 16-129.1 of the New York City Administrative Code allows the Commissioner to set by rule the fees for the disposal of yard waste and organic waste at department compost facilities.

DSNY currently pays a contract operator to run the compost facilities, at a cost to the City. The Department charges fees for material delivered to its compost facilities by persons or other entities to offset these costs, as allowable by law.

DSNY has performed an analysis of its costs related to compost facilities in order to determine appropriate fees for the disposal of yard waste and organic waste. Costs considered by the Department in this analysis include payments to the contract operator to perform the services of composting and mulching and other ongoing expenses related to the operation of the facilities.

In addition, DSNY conducted a market survey of similar services provided by other public and private entities within the New York City metropolitan area and determined that the proposed fees are consistent with the market.

Finally, DSNY has determined, based on its operating experience, that it costs more to manage food waste than leaf and yard waste due to the higher nitrogen to carbon ratio, the higher rate of decay and associated need for odor controls, and the presence of non-organic materials (contamination) that must be disposed of.

Based on the Department’s analysis, this rule sets the rate for the disposal of leaf and yard waste at $12 per cubic yard. A cubic yard is a volumetric measurement typically used in the industry and is how DSNY currently measures leaf and yard waste delivered to its compost facilities. This rate goes into effect as of October 15, 2024. Thereafter, the rate will be adjusted annually after July 1st in accordance with the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and this adjustment becomes effective annually on September 1st.

This rule also establishes the rate for the disposal of organic waste at $85 per ton beginning October 15, 2024. Tons are the industry standard for putrescible solid wastes, including organics. Organic waste deliveries will be weighed upon arrival at the compost facilities. The rate established herein will be adjusted annually after July 1st thereafter in accordance with the change in the CPI, and such change becomes effective annually on September 1st.