Requirement of Source Separation of Residential Organic Waste

Online comments: 132

• Deborah Howard

  I strongly agree that this needs to be mandatory but think residences should have access to bins currently in use

  Comment added July 10, 2023 3:06pm

• Clara Schuhmacher

  I strongly support DSNY’s proposal to require source separation of organic waste for residential collection. I have taken my compost to the farmers market for 10+ years, and now help my building manage its brown bin as part of the pilot program in Williamsburg. DSNY has been very responsive when we’ve had issues with the bin, and I am pleased with how they are running the program. However, we’re not going to make meaningful impact at this small scale. The benefits of this move are immediate and monumental — providing the slurry to create biogas that lessen our communities’ reliance on natural gas, reducing the city’s costs in sending material to landfill (plus the climate benefits of such a diversion), and frankly, the more we separate + the more often organic waste is picked up, the less smelly and rat-filled our streets will be. It makes economic sense and quality of life sense. But as we know, behavior change is hard – and this isn’t going to take on a meaningful scale unless it’s required and enforced. (Enforcement is key!) Let’s get it together NYC. It’s 2023!

  Comment added July 11, 2023 11:22pm

• Ella Smith

  As a resident who already contributes to her brown bin, the compost program is easy and so important to the health of our planet and our city. I urge the government to make the right choice in support of our environment and mandate composting!

  But mandating it is not enough, it must be enforced as well! We can see how the plastic bag ban has turned out… without enforcing it, there is no reason for so many stores to stop using plastic. Please make aggressive changes as it’s the only way to combat our climate and pollination crisis!

  Comment added July 12, 2023 12:33am

• Ed Rich

  I am strongly against this proposal. The rat problem in NYC continues to be out of control, and the addition of organic waste collection inside of apartment buildings will only make the problem worse. Until such time that the rat problem is addressed, this proposed regulation should be tabled. The benefits DO NOT outweigh the problems that will result from its implementation.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:18am

• john green

  why is nyc so crazy. please stop making life harder for your citizens. we don’t want more trash in our buildings.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:20am

• DONNA SCAPPATICCI

  I oppose this legislation as it would encourage rat infestation INSIDE the building. We currently have in place an exterminator program twice a month which keeps the pests out. It will almost be impossible to keep out pests with this new legislation. Thank you.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:24am

• MARYANNE GOURAS

  As much as I am for reducing waste, I cannot approve of this measure. Living in Brooklyn and having a food waste bin outside my house is not a problem in the cooler months, but in the warm ones, I can’t stand it. Believe me, I do my best to keep it clean, but it does not deter the mice or the maggots. I stopped using it in the summer. This proposed measure will definitely bring all these pests inside the buildings. Enough already! How much more burden will be placed on homeowners, large ones and small ones?

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:25am

• Nan schiff eisenberg

  The proposal for keeping food waiting fir pick up in an effort to green will not correspond well with rat abatement. Please do not do this. Ray abatement is our priority

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:26am

• Jo Wo

  I oppose. As an individual, I do compost to the brown bins at the drop off sites. However, as a building manager, I see that most residents already have trouble separating recyclables despite repeated communication. People most often do not recycle correctly (e.g. doesn’t wash out containers, leaving food inside), which essentially makes the entire recycling process moot. Based on my experience, it is unrealistic to expect that people to compost correctly. People will put cooked meats and oily dishes into the compost as well and it will make the compost smell like garbage. This will also attract more rodents, a problem the city is already struggling to fight. If the city wants people to compost more, they should put more compost sites out and more often. Those proactive enough to go will hopefully do it correctly. But those who are indifferent will not do it correctly.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:28am

• Michael Peters

  I rented a condo unit in a building in brooklyn with several of the brown organic bins in the basement level.

  The level of maggots and flies that this created can not be overstated. Management emptied them and tried to keep them clean.

  When brought outside to be cleaned it created an infestation of flies outside of the building as well. A once pristine new small condo building became infested with pests, a violation of another law, Local 55.

  Keeping anything organic outside of bags and left in or outside of a building is a terrible idea, regardless of the very noble intent. If bag liners were used then great but that will not happen. The bins become cesspools. Multiply that by every building in new york city. There simply isn’t enough labor power to execute such a plan in compliance with existing laws and will absolutely create a worse environment within nyc housing.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:30am

• Paula Zacharakos

  Forcing composting into multifamily residential buildings, when we can’t get 30% of the residents to recycle, is an ignorant move. Then having food waste sit and be collected on a once a week cycle, the same as recycling, is beyond ignorant. When are the rule makers going to face reality about the population that they oversee. All we are doing is throwing NYC back into the 1970’s, both financially and now sanitation wise. We are just setting up food buffets for the rodents….

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:35am

• Christopher Athineos

  As a property owner of a multi family building I strongly OPPOSE this proposal. We made every effort to have our tenants compost previously and it was a disaster. Our compost bins were covered with maggots crawling all over and the tenants were not using care to close the lid tightly. This caused a rise in cockroaches and mice inside the apts. When we put the bins out for collection at the curb, when the sanitation workers dumped the contents into the truck, inadvertently half of the contents were left on the street for rats and sadly, dogs to eat. In theory it’s a nice idea, but it’s not practical in an apt building.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:36am

• Leonard Fox

  I am a managing agent. A number of the properties I manage in mid-town Manhattan East are composed totally of studio apartments of about 300 square feet. Recycling now requires 3 garbage compartments, now a 4th. This will be a hardship for these tenants. Furthermore, I believe quite strongly that few if any of the residents will abide with this and separate bio garbage. In addition, the public areas of these properties are minimal, and finding a place to store the bio debris will be problematical. Not to mention, odors and vermin. Recycling bio garbage is a laudable goal but the City needs to come up with a more viable plan. Perhaps some type of streetside bin that services the entire block, that would keep the odors and vermin out of the buildings. Thank you.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:36am

• Kris Tapper

  So first we were made to believe the change to the garbage put-out time to 8 PM would decrease the rat activity because rats can, of course, tell time. Now, whatever little strides might have been made will be negated with this organic waste pick-up. I do not understand New York City’s fascination with trying to remake ourselves as some sort of utopia with everything else going on in this city. Regular garbage that is picked up three times a week smells. Has no one thought of the implications of the stench as well as the rodent activity in summer months with this new program? This is a ridiculous idea. For those who think it’s a wonderful idea, I suggest they get on their bikes and bike, following all the rules of the road, of course, to a facility or an area in each borough that will be compost-central. Otherwise, I am not a fan of this proposal.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:36am

• Y. F PIERRE

  Keeping the trash in apartments is a crazy idea. I believe it’s an invitation to rats 🐀 ,mice, and reaches to live permanently inside of the building.
  No matter how often you exterminate, you would never get rid of them.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:37am

• Ameet Sachdev

  This idea may seem great in theory but in practice, it will lead to a sanitation nightmare for residents. Many residents will not comply with this regulation, if their failure to comply with standard recycling is any indication, and the supers and building staff will have to go through each garbage bag to separate out organic materials. This will be onerous and dangerous to the health of building staff. Not only this but having organic waste separated out and waiting in a building is an invitation for pests and rodents to feast on the waiting garbage, exacerbating the current pest issues facing the city. Far more logical would be for the city to place it’s own organic waste baskets around the city for residents to use instead of making property owners and managers responsible for what should be all individuals responsibility to recycle and dispose of organic waste responsibly.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:42am

• Deo Sukhu

  Stricter the government wiser the rat population. How many of these trash containers and trash bags have holes at the bottom?? It is the city’s fault to leave the trash on the street for 12 hrs an average. Trash should be picked up firstly. I think they are looking to make money from taxpayers. You work you pay taxes. You own a house real estate tax. Bridge taxes. Political sit and make laws and give themselves big pay raise. On your back. Smile and wave boys.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:43am

• IRENE KNECHT

  Asking to separate food waste in single area private housing seems like a novel idea but the purpose of limiting rats in these area is will not be achieved becsuse these area usually dont have rat problems. The real issue that will be created is these rules requiring old buildinds without space to keep food waste separate will bring the rat problem inside the buildings causing catastrophic infestation problems inside the residences. Please do not implement this rule becaus the unintended consquences will be devasting.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:43am

• JRC

  Jo Wo below has it right– this rule will worsen the city’s rodent and pest problem. This is a classic example of a “sit down and come over here” from the city. Property managers are being held responsible for rodents and pests in tenants’ apartments and now this rule will worsen all tenants’ pest problems by creating feeding centers inside our buildings. Please come up with central compost drop-off centers (outside buildings) where tenants can bring their garbage to compost. I know it’s hard to get elected if you place some responsibility on tenants to actually do something to help the city, but i’d argue the welfare of the city should be foremost in your minds.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:49am

• Xuereb Mark

  The proposed rule is not tenable without significant pest control problems that would result from such a requirement.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:53am

• Gigi Porcelli

  ANY attempt to recycle organic waste in the South Bronx will be disastrous. On a hot summer day you can smell the garbage as you walk past buildings. At 176th Street I used to watch the rats as they picked over the garbage bags. If you have organic waste in buildings, it will be like ringing the dinner bell. We did everything we could to keep the rats at bay. We were successful but less than a block away – the Mount Hope Community Center was overrun with rats.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:53am

• Derrick Jackson

  Please do not approve this proposal as it would cause as infestation of pests inside the building where the organic material would be stored.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:54am

• Bernadette

  This is insane and I OPPOSE this motion. Do you live in NYC? How about we tackle rats, not provide food for increasing the population. Did you know rats are now coming out of residential toilets? This is a new problem PLUMBING COMPANIES are facing when dealing with clogs -is it a clog or will a rat pop out. This is a real thing and these measures will only increase the already unmanageable rodent population.

  How about loosening up restrictions regarding rodenticide. Also while we are on the topic of waste- dog poop. Why is the city covered in it? Nothing is being done and it is a quality of life issue. Also human excrement. There is a growing number of human relieving themselves in the subway, street, apartment building common areas. It is disgusting and DSNY should tackle common sense issues before burdening the citizenry with more nonsense.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 10:54am

• Dinaria Feggaropoulos

  I strongly oppose the organic waste / food trash to be source separated.
  As do Our facilities managers and building maintenance workers as well. Although personally I support composting, the issue of rats, maggots and roaches will undoubtedly be exacerbated. I have seen this in my own home as well as tenants who have kept the brown bins in their apartments without being responsible about covering the bin nor do they separate properly. Not to mention the terrible odor from the compost bins unless picked up daily or what about when tenants go on vacation and forget to take out the compost bin, forget to cover it? Even the outdoor brown bin in warm weather bred maggots and had roaches crawling around it. I even once had a raccoon Open it and knock the bin over as their fingers easily opened the cover. These are all scenarios that can and will happen. The benefits of mandated source separation are no match for the hazards to health and property and violations of habitability it will cause. We already are struggling with Pest Management to contain the increase in the roach and rat population. On site required separation is a bad idea and not the solution.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:08am

• Thomas Lopez

  This is a stupid rule. Imposing internal storage does not solve the rat problem. Earlier and more frequent sanitation pickup is the only answer/solution.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:23am

• Petra Conte

  What is the purpose of this additional regulation? Housing “organic waste” until collection day will create more of a rodent/roach problem which defeats the collection rule changes just put into effect that is supposed to curb the rodent problems.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:24am

• Corey

  This will only make the situation more unsanitary. Rats are a huge problem already. Tenants don’t follow recycling rules already. This is a bad idea.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:25am

• Ron Nahum

  Need steel made trash bins all over and no more trash bags left for collection on the streets sidewalk. All trash stored for storage or for collection in steel trash bins just like in any other country in the world. That’s the only way to get rid of the rots.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:44am

• Beverly Carroll

  I oppose maintains bins inside apartments or inside buildings. While I agree that rodent infestation needs control, bringing bins indoors only moves the problem from outdoors to indoors.
  Please go back to the drawing board for a better solution. Perhaps open the suggestions to the public. NYC has bright, creative people who may provide a yet undiscovered solution.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 11:48am

• Alan Cohen

  The proposed regulation for collecting organic waste is not feasible for small residential buildings. Our building has no interior space which could accommodate such waste, and would have to be in a public hallway.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:05pm

• Steven Murphy

  These regulations will make urban buildings much dirtier, and endanger the health of tenants by attracting vermin indoors.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:08pm

• Rashid Realty Co

  Please be aware that this would place undue burden on our small building. We do not have the room to house containers to meet the demands required by this proposal.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:08pm

• Anesti

  I have read the comments, and I am echoing my opposition to this measure. This idea may seem great in theory but in practice, it will lead to a sanitation nightmare for residents. Many residents will not comply with this regulation, if their failure to comply with standard recycling is any indication, and the supers and building staff will have to go through each garbage bag to separate out organic materials. This will be onerous and dangerous to the health of building staff. Not only this but having organic waste separated out and waiting in a building is an invitation for pests and rodents to feast on the waiting garbage, exacerbating the current pest issues facing the city. Far more logical would be for the city to place it’s own organic waste baskets around the city for residents to use instead of making property owners and managers responsible for what should be all individuals responsibility to recycle and dispose of organic waste responsibly.
  If the city wants people to compost more, they should put more compost sites out and more often. Those proactive enough to go will hopefully do it correctly. But those who are indifferent will not do it correctly.
  Streetside bin that services the entire block, that would keep the odors and vermin out of the buildings would be a good alternate solution.
  Pinning this on owners is a scheme to penalize via fines the owners.
  This will only make the situation more unsanitary. Rats are a huge problem already. Tenants don’t follow recycling rules already. This is a bad idea.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:08pm

• Kara Kelly

  As a landlord of a multi-family building I fully support mandatory organics collection. We enrolled our Upper West Side building in the pilot program several years ago and restarted after the phase during COVID. Organics separation and collection is, along with putting garbage out for pick up in bins with lids, the most effective way to reduce the rodent population. On a block with a consistent rat problem, our building has not seen a rat on our property in years. The maintenance of the bins is small compared to the benefit of cutting down on the rodent population. We shared best practices with our tenants (freeze scraps, etc) and they are generally followed. The truth is if you really want to get rid of rats, then you have to stop feeding them by putting your food scraps in rodent-proof bins with locking lids. The knee-jerk reaction of complaining that the program is more work for building staff is short sighted. I do hope that as the program grows that pick ups will increase to more than once a week as we are completely filling up our bins each week. The brown bins should be made available to all.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:13pm

• agnes shepanzyk

  This new proposed rule would roll back any progress that may have been made, only bringing the rat problem from the streets inside residential buildings. Do not bring composting into buildings and require more of us already. lower our taxes and you do your jobs! the city is asking too much from owners and not taking care of problems which they should be dealing with.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:17pm

• Lydia Korchow

  It is very burdensome to adhere to this proposed legislation , because of the
  complaints and health hazard it would present- keeping organic waste in
  apartments and cellars. It would only add to the rat infestation because the rats would enter the inside of the buiiding and cellar. The stench from moldy food waste would be horrific and present a health hazard.
  Also the later set out times for garbage does very little to cut down rats
  BECAUSE THE GARBAGE IS PICKED UP LATER! Also, the street are dirtier
  since outdoor restaurant sheds were allowed– more dirt and food in shed that rats feast on — sheds hinder sanitation pickup and cleaning of streets.
  Please address the rat problem in a more sensible and less costly to small
  property owners.
  Thank you !

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:20pm

• Linda Rustici

  As a home owner we strongly disagree. People walk by our home a toss all kids of trash in our pails. We must sort the trash to make sure we do not get violations. Do not agree the the brown pail system

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:29pm

• Elmer Vicuna

  Why this NYC administration is making harder for owners, organic waste inside homes and buildings is going to create health issues for children and adults!! I DON’T SUPPORT THIS PROPOSAL !!!

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:29pm

• Rachel E

  Many of our buildings are smaller sized less than 8 units, we barely have room for garbage and recycling bins. Another area to be designated for something like this would be burdensome. Additionally, the possibility of more vermin and insects makes this not be a great idea.
  If the people who are interested in this program are already bringing to a farmers market or somewhere else, I don’t see the need to make this mandatory for everyone. They can continue to do this. If not move out of the city and live in the suburbs.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:41pm

• Lisa Guzzone

  I own three residential brownstones in Cobble Hill Brooklyn. We do not have any space to store compost bins. It would only bring the rats inside

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:49pm

• Chris Efthimiou

  I understand the value of composting organic waste for environmental and pest-control purposes. However, the mandate to allow for pre-collection of organic waste inside a building that has a very restricted common area (such as many pre-war buildings do) is not feasible. Furthermore, moving organic waste to non-refrigerated/non-aerated indoor spaces will pose an environmental and sanitary hazard to all building occupants.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:55pm

• Leigh Ann

  This is ridiculous. How are landlords who don’t have the means/space supposed to store their tenants’ organic waste?! How are they supposed to keep their buildings rodent free? The City/council Members never think these policies through enough where they take smaller landlords into consideration? Then people complain about rising rents…well landlords have to pay an exorbitant amount of money annually to keep up with these ever-changing laws. It’s unreasonable and unfair. It only highlights how idiotic our Council Members are.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:57pm

• Louis mancione

  Everyone needs to know that my lawyer was at a social function with many politicians and such. A local council woman was drinking and stated to my attorney that “NY PLANS TO MAKE PROPERTY OWNERSHIP IMMPOSSIBLE AND THEIR PLAN IS TO FORCE OWNERS TO SELL TO TENANTS AND/OR THE GOVERNMENT” and if she was quoted she would deny and that because of her status she would be the one believed!! MARXISTS AND COMMUNISTS RUN NY!!!

  Comment added July 18, 2023 12:59pm

• philip grossman

  This idea may seem great in theory but in practice, it will lead to a sanitation nightmare for residents. Many residents will not comply with this regulation, if their failure to comply with standard recycling is any indication, and the supers will have to go through each garbage bag to separate out organic materials. This will be onerous and dangerous to the health of supers. Not only this but having organic waste separated out and waiting in a building is an invitation for pests and rodents to feast on the waiting garbage, exacerbating the current pest issues facing the city. Far more logical would be for the city to place it’s own organic waste baskets around the city for residents to use instead of making property owners and managers responsible for what should be all individuals responsibility to recycle and dispose of organic waste responsibly.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 1:22pm

• Billy Michaelides

  As a property owner of a 6 family building I strongly oppose this new requirement. In a perfect world, this would work, in reality and in a practical sense, it will not. I constantly need to separate and organize regular trash from recycle and how long has this been in place? I can’t even imagine the filth this will create and the constant cleaning I will need to do just to avoid vermin and insects. This will be yet another regulation that will lead all of us small property owners to sell. The current compost plan isn’t perfect but please don’t implement something that would require us to hold onto organic waste for extended periods of time.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 1:29pm

• Marcelo Bessegato

  As usual the best ideas are not found in the extremes. Great idea for a modern up and coming new world society. If done correctly it could actually work. Problem is : the folks that line their pockets on our tax money, don’t have the decency to pick a solution that actually functions. Fix that problem, the rest always has a solution.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 1:41pm

• joann Bo

  I am strongly against this proposal. The rat problem in NYC continues to be out of control, and the addition of organic waste collection inside of apartment buildings will only make the problem worse. Until such time that the rat problem is addressed, this proposed regulation should be tabled. The benefits DO NOT outweigh the problems that will result from its implementation.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 1:56pm

• Djordje Zivan

  this rule is a bad idea. we have a problem with rats outside, the new rule would create a problem with rats inside the building and also a bad smell inside the building, and the city would come back if is a complaint and issue a violation or a fine to the building owner. as a small property i am against these new rule is a bad idea. thank you.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:02pm

• Shirin Woods

  I have been plagued by rats in Whitestone for the past several years.
  Each time we get rid of them (which takes several months) a new construction project begins(either by the city or a new home) and the process begins again. Rats come in the thousands, not the hundreds, all over the neighborhood and the problem will start again. Having organic waste inside will just add to the issues we are having. Not only do we have to pay to eliminate the rats, but during the process we will get fines up to $300.
  The city just implemented new rules for garbage collection, which is adding additional costs. Now you expect us to house more rat creating bins and expect us to keep the rats away. I implore you to first get rid of the rat infestation in our neighborhoods before you begin to add to the problem with these new bins.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:13pm

• sandberg

  I oppose this organic waste collection. We have a hard enough time managing paper and metal/plastic recycling. This will create an overwhelming and unsanitary nightmare.
  It will bring rats and vermin into the buildings. The city streets already smell like garbage; this will make the buildings also smell like garbage.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:15pm

• Beverly Carroll

  I am opposed to the proposal. It will only serve to increase roach and rodent infestation inside buildings. I suggest that the Sanitation dept contact cities of comparable size that do not have street rodent issues and determine how they handle the situation. Select best model for trial in NYC.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:24pm

• Joe Ford

  I am the owner/operator of a 6family home in Brooklyn. True sanitation is beyond the scope of what you are proposing. You are not including any remedies for the unsanitary and decrepit environment that will be created in apartment buildings(especially the small multi family homes) from the holding of organic foodstuffs. And the education of tenants’ best practices necessary to successfully, and healthfully pull off what you are proposing is beyond the scope of landlord responsibilities.
  The reality of this proposition is far different from it concept.
  Please don’t move forward with this before you present to EVERY LANDLORD and TENANT the best practices to accomplish this HEALTHFULLY.
  Sincerely,
  Joseph Ford

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:51pm

• Robert Arzanipour

  This new rule would be disastrous to the already difficult time small building owners have in fighting the rat and mice problems. We are having in the city due to the second Avenue construction. Bringing anything inside we further exacerbate the difficulties we are already having.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 2:53pm

• Sam chantly

  No

  Comment added July 18, 2023 3:21pm

• Chris

  This is a horrible idea and will impact taxpaying citizens.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 4:13pm

• Dominick Celano

  This is another bad idea that the DSNY has come up with
  Along with the sidewalk cafes ,bike lanes , and the brown containers for feeding the RATS!!
  This will only bring the rat problem from the street to inside the buildings
  How about coming up with some real ideas on elimination of the rat population

  Comment added July 18, 2023 6:38pm

• Elisa DiMonda

  WE ARE ALL AWARE AS ENLIGHTENED, KNOWLEDGABLE OWNERS OF BUILDINGS THAT THE MORE REGULATIONS HEAPED UPON US WILL EVENTUALLY SUFFOCATE OUR ABILITY TO MAINTAIN OUR BUILDINGS AND MAKE THEM LIVABLE FOR OUR TENANTS. LANDLORDS ARE PEOPLE WHO CONTRIBUTE MONEY (THROUGH TAXES), DECENT, COMFORTABLE LIVING CONDITIONS FOR THE CITIZENS OF New York City WITH WHOM THEY LIVE. THE GOVERNMENT AND ITS REGULATIONS ARE DESTROYING THE GREAT CITY OF New York. New York WILL BECOME A GHOST TOWN WITH ONLY THE HOMELESS LIVING ON ITS STREETS. HELP THE SMALL PROPERTY OWNERS MAINTAIN THE CITY. THIS PROPOSITION IS A HEALTH HAZARD AND NEEDS CONSTANT MAINTENANCE. THE TENANTS HAVE DIFFICULTY SEPARATING THEIR REFUSE. THIS LAW WILL CONFUSE THEM AND CAUSE THE OWNER TO DEMAND THAT THE TENANTS HAVE ANOTHER RULE TO FOLLOW. SAVE NEW YORK.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 7:14pm

• Kim Esposito

  I understand , but do tenants give a damn. Absolutely NO. I have problems with the regular recycling. Who puts cardboard in the wrong city container. Plastic in garbage. Who gets the summons the little landlord. I have two buildings 8 families each. One building is not even 8,000 rent roll. It’s so hard give us a break. Everyday I am goi g through garbage maki g sure it’s in the right containers. Plus you have people going by dropping stuff I. Your pails. I am tired being a small landlord in Brooklyn. I live right across the street to these buildings , I do the best I can . I am one tired landlord in Brooklyn. Every day a new rule for me to follow but not the tenants. Even though i have everything labeled. Notes in hallways. Most of my tenants have been in these buildings for more than 20 years. I am tired. Had to put a new boiler in one of my building last year cost me 35,000 . New York City needs a better system. Insurance went up taxes up electricity up. And I pick through garbage on to make sure I won’t be penalized. Sweep my sidewalks worrying g I might get a tickets . I am a small landlord can’t afford a crew of workers. Between basic plumbing problems. Making sure all air conditioners have brackets. Telling them they can’t put them in fire escape windows . Plus bed bug reports , mold reports, registering the building. Tired! tired! So in response to the new request . Not a good idea. How about the tenants have to go to a site and depose of there organic products. Well my last thing is different rules for small home owner to these big buildings. There is a lot of gray here. I hope you read this if you line reach out to me,

  Comment added July 18, 2023 8:10pm

• K Diomataris

  As a property owner, I strongly OPPOSE this. My tenants can’t recycle correctly, they will not follow the rules for this. The rats and maggots that will enter the building is not acceptable. Why should we have to live under these conditions? And who will get the tickets when the tenants do not follow the rules? Why should I have to go through others garbage so that I won’t get a ticket? This rule does not make sense. You will be making the rats find their way into our homes. Who wants to live with that? I can tell you that I don’t and all of my tenants don’t!!! Please do not pass this.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 8:22pm

• Jack C Pliskin

  I am against this proposal to amend DSNY rules because residential buildings would be the depository site of this organic waste for extended periods between scheduled sanitation collections. Residential buildings would be required to establish organic waste collection bins onsite- with most buildings being forced to keep these organic collection bins either in individual apartments or in basements given limited storage options and outdoor access. Earlier this year DSNY adopted new set out and collection rules for residential buildings to mitigate the City’s rodent problem. This new proposed rule would roll back any progress that may have been made, only bringing the rat problem from the streets inside residential buildings.
  DSNY needs to come up with a better set of rules to address these concerns and scrap the rules it is proposing here as part of its plan to amend its rules.

  Comment added July 18, 2023 9:52pm

• ROBERT PELC

  Terrible plan. Organic waste decays naturally. Making a separate collection fir this will only attract more rodents in and outside of buildings. The cost of rat mitigation will exceed the cost savings of this bad idea.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 1:15am

• R San

  I oppose this new rule.
  Do you really want to solve the rat problem in NYC? There’s a simple solution and nobody is thinking about it. Eliminate the source, the number of garbage bags out for collection. Go back to providing the sanitation services NYC needs.
  The simple solution is to have sanitation pick up garbage like they used to do many years ago. Pick up garbage six days a week. Garbage storage inside buildings or garbage on the sidewalks are the reasons that we have a rat problem.
  There is no reason for property owners to be FORCED to compost. Tenants don’t comply. Let the tenants who want to compost bring their food scraps to a city bin on public spaces. Compost bins should not be kept inside a property owner’s building. This was tried and it failed a few years ago. Why would you think that it will work this time? Will you be forcing property owners and their staff to go through tenants’ garbage? That is demeaning, unsanitary, unhealthy, and plain disgusting.
  Don’t do this. The unintended consequences will be horrendous.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 1:38am

• Frank Cavazzini

  I am NOT in favor of the full extent of this program as it now moves rats from outside to the inside of homes/basements where landlords will be forced to store between pickups.
  A reasonable approach would be to have large bins set on one corner at intersections for residents to deposit their organic waste there. It will reduce the amount of sanitation trucks on the street, limit start/stop of the sanitation trucks and a host of other benefits doing it that way.
  Let’s be progressive and not doom this program. Do it right and everyone will be onboard.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 2:21am

• John

  I know my comments are useless and you will do what ever you want but I’ll try. We have a limited amount of space for trash receptacles and cannot separate “organic waste” bins from the rest of the trash. Please understand this is a challenge and will add to our burden.

  Thank you,
  John

  Comment added July 19, 2023 7:04am

• John

  First you say rats are not going after garbage to eat after 6 pm. Since they don’t eat after 6 pm, now you want to give them a dinner inside of our buildings. Who is making these crazy laws for our once great city of New York.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 7:26am

• Meliagros

  This is the craziest plan I have ever heard. The city is trying to control
  rats and so are landlords. This would make it impossible to do and would encourage roaches. Why does the city keep putting burdens on the landlords and on their workers? This will not curve rats. They will go into the residential units to find the food. We can’t get rid of them even with traps around the building and now they want to bring the rats
  indoors.

  We have no money to hire others to do it or keep track of all this. It is bad enough that the Super has to get up at odd hours just to put the trash out on the new time slot.

  No one wants the smell of this organic material anywhere in or near their building. Tenants will surely complain. Tenants live a restricted life in their apartments, their lives are in danger walking home. They do not need to come to a place that stinks too.

  The apartments will fill up with rats, and roaches causing an added burden to the landlord for extermination on a weekly basis that they cannot afford. Expenses are over the roof as it is.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 8:41am

• Marie

  This idea will make the rat problem worse.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 8:47am

• Ann Korchak

  I’m currently serving as Board President of SPONY, The Small Property Owners of NY. I’d like to share with you the problems multi-family building owners and their maintenance staff will encounter if these new regs come to pass.
  NYC has been recycling for many decades and yet we still have tenants that don’t know how to sort properly. This means that several times a week my super or a member of his team sifts through the trash and sorts the items properly. This process is time-consuming and messy. If items are missed we are fined by DSNY. The fine is borne by the building owner, not the tenant.
  Composting will require a major level of cooperation from the residents of a multifamily building. It will involve a huge learning curve and behavioral changes. The residents in my building who still won’t sort paper/cardboard, glass, and aluminum products are not likely to begin composting. It’s not fair to put the burden of removing compostable material from the trash on the maintenance staff and its not fair to fine the building owner when it will be impossible to know which residents are not composting properly.
  Finally, I’d like you to put yourself in the shoes of the hardworking building superintendents and building owners that run their own properties (as many SPONY members do). The task of physically removing food waste from tenants’ trash bags and adding it to the composting waste bin will be messy, unsanitary, and simply GROSS. A better solution would be to expand public composting options and those NYC residents that are willing and able to compost can do so easily. These are the people that will take the time to do it properly and will lead others by example. As more public options are made available others will come to see the ease at which they can compost and the value of doing so. After we have created a culture of composting it will be easier to roll out a multifamily building composting requirement.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 12:15pm

• Betsy Bates

  This is a terrible idea. This will encourage rats, roaches and other insects to come into basements and spread throughout the building. Olus who is going to do this in smaller buildings. Even if you hire someone, they do not like doing this. This idea is nuts. You are only making the rat and roach problem worse.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 3:30pm

• Ada

  I strongly oppose this proposal. The brown bins in the Williamsburg area are filthy and bring maggots and flies. Furthermore, people place regular garbage in them. This should NOT be a responsibility of the landlord, especially when programs for composting already exist. NYC also has not sufficiently addressed the rat problem which is out of control and attempting to add this is ridiculous. Outside dining and its garbage is a larger issue that needs to be addressed in this city. Attempting to bring the rat problem to the front door of residential buildings is irresponsible.

  Comment added July 19, 2023 6:00pm

• Steve christofori

  Stop the nonsense,the rat problem will never go away all this us is another way to make it harder on the people who live in nyc

  Comment added July 20, 2023 6:06am

• Magdalene Jacobson

  As a property manager having been fined for rodents when we have rat boxes and pay for a monthly exterminator on top of everything, the rodent problem is put on landlords instead of the city. This is just another way for the city to fine landlords. They should have dropboxes for organic matter in certain locations. Just like recycling centers.
  If they are going to put the onus on landlords they need to create rat proof containers that should be available to owners at a deep discount.

  Comment added July 20, 2023 7:57am

• E R Hylton

  This while it may sound like a step forward; just places the burden of maintaining the garbage on the homeowner, and janitorial staff who are not prepared to house this garbage. It would require a separate area to house, time to monitor, and eventually put out for recycling. It would make much better sense to get this in the hands of the sanitation department which are much better prepared to maintain, prepare, and recycle this type of waste.

  Comment added July 21, 2023 7:34am

• LT

  As a multi family property owner the layers and layers of legislation are far and beyond our of control. Enough is enough!!! This new restrictive law will aid and abet the proliferate of the intense rat problem in NYC esp in Manhattan as we have nowhere to store food scraps which are already BIODEGRADABLE BY DEFINITION. This is overkill!!! Most of the recent legislation emanating from Progressive/Socialist members of NYCCouncil is aimed at hurting landlords and ultimately squeezing them to the point where they have no choice but to walk away from their own investments or learn to live with politicians pushing back on private ownership. It should be duly noted that NYC is THE worst landlord in NYC-just reflect on the lack or proper adequate management in NYCHA system so they should be the last to tell private sector what to do nor how to do it. Irony is that when the CofNY can no longer handle its property responsibilities it reaches out to THE PRIVATE SECTOR…terrible disregard for professionals in real estate.

  Comment added July 22, 2023 5:27pm

• Charles M

  I think this is a nice idea in a bubble. But not in the reality we live in right now.

  The city has been rolling
  out new laws and regulations for years to “help”, but with Terrible implementation. This just seems like another way penalize small businesses
  and landlords. It’s a shame
  in recently years the city has done nothing but push people away. many good hard working families who called this amazing city home feel slighted now.

  It’s hard enough right now getting tenants to sort their garbage and recycle
  correctly. Why make up this “tall tale” about helping the environment, Addressing rats and other rodent issues all around NYC. Those running the city right now are looking out for certain interests and passing the buck onto home owners and landlords once again.

  Yet another Crappy idea to me to double charge people here in nyc for something sanitation has been paid or contacted to address!

  Comment added July 23, 2023 1:30am

• Kerlyn Candelario

  Single family and Two-family homes should be exempted from this requirement. It will just add more unnecessary burden on homeowners.

  Comment added July 23, 2023 11:54am

• Lee Solomon

  I am a small landlord and cannot afford the kind of staff needed, and do not have the space in my buildings for, the sorting necessary for organic composting. I encourage nyc instead to add more compost bins on city streets. Tenants are using them now but there needs to be more of them to accommodate the demand. Having organic compost collecting in front of buildings in bins that are impossible to wash out because of building facilities that prevent that will add to the rodents and the smells that are already an issue in nyc in front of homes and are unfair especially in areas where there are many multifamily properties. Why doesn’t nyc parks operate large scale compost facilities as well so people can be more involved in the process directly and understand what it means and where it can be used?

  Thanks for your consideration of these ideas.

  Comment added July 23, 2023 4:52pm

• Jake Kajo

  This is yet another proposal that will not work and just make life more difficult. Most buildings, especially the smaller ones do not have a lot of space inside the building. They do not give access to the residents, and this will only bring rats inside the buildings!! This does not make sense at all. The new times to put out the garbage were supposed to fix the rodent problem, but apparently it didnt. So now you want to put band aid above band aid. Roll back the laws that didnt work for this problem then.

  Comment added July 23, 2023 6:11pm

• Mariusz Mrzyk

  Another burden on Landlords that will not resolve anything.

  Comment added July 25, 2023 9:16am

• Isabel Pedras

  This is a horrendous idea that will leave rotting food all over trash areas and in the street during collection. As it is, people don’t recycle and we have to waste time and resources sifting through trash to sort it. Now, we have to somehow scrape their leftovers into a compost? And in the winter we won’t be able to hose down the area or the bins that will attract rodents and other pests. Also, rotting food that spills onto the street is poisonous to dogs. This is just an excuse to give sanitation another excuse to dish out fines.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:38am

• Janice Gordon

  I oppose organic pickup at this time! Please do not require organic waste storage and collection until you solve the already dire rat problem! the 8:00 pm pickup time is a burden for us now and is increasing the rat population!! No organic pick up yet!!!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:44am

• Vicki Sando

  I’m a small landlord in Greenwich Village with 8 residential apartments. I also live on my property.

  Recently, I started using the new curb composting bins within walking distance of my building. It’s been eye/opening how much organic waste we collect every day. Every night, I take a bag to the compost bin. (the system is fantastic!)

  My regular garbage volume is significantly lighter and doesn’t smell in the hot summer.

  I’ve also encouraged my tenants to sort their trash, too.

  I’m in favor of residential compost collection. While my tenants will have a learning curve, if their waste is sorted and sorted properly, there won’t be additional storage needed.

  Additionally, mitigation of pests might actually be easier if food waste is stored solely in one or two bins and disposed of quickly.

  Our planet is burning. Methane from garbage is a leading cause of rising temperatures. We all must sacrifice some convenience so that our children can have the future they deserve.

  Thank you!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:45am

• Nan eisenberg

  I oppose this idea. It will create enormous headaches for storage and basically defeat our most important goals. Thank you.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:46am

• George Bonheur

  We have no place to hold organic waste & don’t know if tenants will follow up on the this rule, subjecting us to violation by DSNY. Holding the waste in the basement or any other place for an extended time becomes liquified , causes noxious gas, and otherwise makes a big mess to handle & transport. Please reconsider enacting this law.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:47am

• Donald Tsang

  My building was built in the 1900 in lower Manhattan. It was built without allocating space for garage cans in the front of the building. Each apt is small and approximately 550 sq ft. With the three garbage pickup days per week, the tenants are already struggling storing garbage and Amazon boxes (pick up one day per week) in their apts. if they have to keep rotten food for composing in the apartments, please imagine the smell inside. Additionally, the smell will attract more roaches and rodents.

  The composing may work for private houses. At least, they can put the compose outside in a seal can.

  I’m all for saving the environment having to deal with global warming. Please make rules and regulations that makes sense and not to use it for political gains.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:54am

• Grace DiIenna

  This is very concerning. How is this going to prevent/decrease the rodent population. The rodents will be running rampant with putting this law into effect. This is what they need to live and this is exactly what they’ll be getting to thrive. This clearly has not been thought out well. If this law goes into effect it won’t be long before we’ll have massive rodent populations everywhere. I recommend rethinking this and not implementing this legislation. Please do not Implement this, and if you do surely it won’t be long before it will be stopped/ canceled

  Comment added July 28, 2023 8:59am

• C. Park

  I oppose this proposal though I support composting and working to clean up our environment. The resulting exacerbation of the rat and pest population is more hazardous and detrimental than not having everyone compost. It is reasonable for those with a private home and a yard or outdoor area to keep it but where are apartment buildings supposed to collect and keep organic matter? In common area hallways or basements? Requiring this of everyone is simply unreasonable and foolish. It should be voluntary and highly encouraged if your property can support it but many cannot!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 9:05am

• Charisse Daus

  As the owner/manager of a multi-family residential building in Brooklyn, I am strongly OPPOSED to this composting proposal. Such a measure would place undue burden on both tenants and landlord, as well as create a situation conducive to various types of vermin. I can’t think of any tenant who would be happy to store organic waste within his/her individual apartment, and basement storage is not feasible for our elderly tenants who are not able to access this area physically. While the desired environmental impact is commendable, the practical side leaves a lot to be desired, and is sure to create or exacerbate other troubling issues such as rats, mice and roaches. This is in addition to the challenges of having to enforce the requirement among the tenants.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 9:33am

• Karen Baskin

  I strongly oppose this potential legislation.

  This proposal seems to fly in the face of the city’s efforts to reduce the pest population – rats, mice and roaches. Organic waste can be a breeding ground for pests not least of which will be maggots and disease carrying flies. The smell during hot months will be obscene.

  What will be considered ‘organic waste’? Produce? Dairy? Meat? Leftovers? The thought of keeping any or all of that in an apartment is repellent. Space is very limited in many buildings and asking tenants to keep organic waste within their small apartments for a week or more may pose a health hazard to them and very difficult for landlords to enforce.

  While I appreciate the city’s effort to reduce waste, I implore you to offer a safer, more reasonable solution.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 9:37am

• Louella berliner

  Organic waste quickly starts smelling bad and attracting flying insects and vermin. We should not invite such pests into our homes.
  I strongly plead with the city to provide outdoor organic waste containers–one on every block

  Comment added July 28, 2023 9:55am

• Boro Stipanovic

  Sanitation should colect all kind of garbage every day,j even two times . Storage of organic or any kind of garbage is not acceptable in civilization culture. City states and federation have to make more activ and permanent program how to collect urban garbage.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:02am

• john wilson

  bad rule, good rule for the rats.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:26am

• Joseph Cunin

  As the owner manager of a small (6-family) residential building, I would like to state my opposition to Mandatory organics recycling. Storing organic material at the property for once-weekly collection is a recipe for problems. Maintaining a clean and vermin-free building is challenging enough without adding the requirement that I provide organic waste storage and collection location. If tenants want to participate in organics recycling, they should be responsible for storing the material in their apartments and placing it curbside at the appropriate time.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:36am

• Elizabeth R.

  An absolute NO !!!! This rule will worsen the city rodent and pest problem and will definitely create feeding centers in our buildings. We can not have rats in our buildings. The Sanitation Department needs to do their job and pick up the garbage and most importantly the public garbage bins/pails on the street corners that are filled to the brim with food waste (this is completely disgusting) This coupled with the street sheds are MAGNETS for rats. As someone commented below do something about RAT ABATEMENT. This is completely ridiculous and unfair to impose this.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:47am

• Angelo Vita

  Keeping organic waste longer than you have to in an extra bin is a recipe for disaster. It basically will be a food bin for vermin. Please reconsider.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:52am

• Luis Gil

  This is impossible for most residents. We already have to keep trash in our apartment for 2 days bc the city o Ku picks up twice a week. It’ll only attract more roaches and rats.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 11:22am

• ALEKSANDAR TOPOLOVACKI

  I have NO place for more bins for organic waste.
  Many tenants anyway not fallow instructions –
  where put recycle and separate from other garbage.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 12:24pm

• VASILIKI FALIDAS

  I’m against this new proposal
  – tenants will not follow the rules. Landlords will get more violations
  – create infestation problems into residents.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 12:33pm

• John Lewis

  We are already having to keep garbage in the apartments for two days before City pickup. Keeping organic waste will cause more hardship and attracts pests in an already dirty and pests infested neighborhood.

  This is not doable for apartment dwellers!!!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 1:00pm

• Larry Moskiwitz

  Please…
  Where should I keep it without stinking up my hallway.
  I barely have room where to keep the garbage cans!
  Should i build a new building “for this organic jihad”?
  Where should i get the money for the new building? From the 3% appx rent increase?
  Please! Please! Some common pragmatic sense!
  Thanks

  Comment added July 28, 2023 1:38pm

• Salvatore Calderone

  I strongly oppose the proposal as it will act in direct conflict with LL 55 of 2018 and will increase the potential for vermin infestation in buildings. Storing organic waste in individual apartments and basements is not the solution. It will only create health and safety problems for tenants and landlords.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 1:39pm

• Robert Eberhart

  This proposal is especially unworkable for a small multi-family building in NYC. Despite limited storage and extended sanitation pick-ups, we cannot keep organic garbage separate. The policy will encourage vermin, puts the onus on building staff to separate tenant refuse, and just gives NYC sanitation inspectors another option for harassing small landlords with garbage tickets.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 2:02pm

• Leslie Leong

  This is a well intentioned attempt by NYC to implement something without any thought to the costs and practicality of the proposed rules. You are asking building owners to handle organic wastes in their buildings without an regard to what is required to do so.

  1. Additional manpower and costs – this is an additional task that will require personnel, equipment, and time.
  2. Containers
  3. Health concerns: vermin and pests
  4. Space to store rotting, smelly organic waste – we are lucky to have space to keep normal garbage until collection times.
  5. Tenant compliance – landlords will be made responsible with no power or authority to compel tenants to comply. Landlords will be forced to handle organic waste mixed with trash. And will be penalized when the containers are found to contain anything other than organic waste.

  You are asking us to be Sanitation Department inspectors without any authority to compel tenants to comply – so we will get the fines that will inevitably be levied.

  All these and more reasons make a positive idea a dumb one in implementation.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 2:45pm

• Adam

  so lets get this straight! you propose to take the smelly parts from the 2 days of garbage pickup, and keep it marinated for the whole week for one pick up a week inside my building… so adam’s solution is – lets take that stench that attracts the rats twice a week on the street because garbage people let it sit there for hours, and put it inside of my building so we can have the smell of rotten food to enjoy along with pleasure of being attacked by rats!!!
  This as brilliant as allowing kids and anyone who has no idea how to behave in traffic to ride electric bikes to our streets and blame cars when someone gets hurt!!!
  If I’m not being clear – there is not a single BRAIN CELL in NYC government. The only logical thing to do is to fire everyone and start over!!!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 3:01pm

• Gabriella Souza

  I respectfully reject the proposed separation of organic waste.

  The stored waste would attract both roaches and rodents.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 3:30pm

• Jack Baradar

  I strongly disagree with this law

  Comment added July 28, 2023 4:17pm

• Rena Wasser

  The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) new proposal, Int. 244, for the creation of a citywide organic waste curbside collection program would be a huge unfeasible burden to small property owners and their maintenance staff. We have no place to store organic waste for extended periods between scheduled sanitation collections. Storing them inside the building would be unsanitary and create an opportunity for rodent infestations. Additionally, it will be nearly impossible to educate NYC tenants to start to separate their organic waste. I can say with certainty, that tenants will not sort their organic waste. Who will educate them?? This would leave the building staff, already burdened with re-sorting recycling our tenants neglect to sort, to remove the organic waste by hand from the garbage bins. This is highly unsanitary and nearly impossible thing to do. This proposed law makes no sense.

  Comment added July 28, 2023 5:35pm

• Harold Moy

  Do NOT support! Saving this type of waste in the buildings will create more vermin problems and create more storage issues (more containers, etc)!

  Comment added July 28, 2023 10:45pm

• Martin

  Compost bins make the block smell like death. Flys and maggots are all over . I hate to think what putting the bins in cellars would do. I suggest putting drop off points around the neighborhood . A place where people can drop off e waste, batteries, compost etc.. and for the people that can’t get to the location , have a number people can call and have one of NYC strongest pick it up . Thank you , Martin Fernandez.

  Comment added July 29, 2023 2:12am

• Helen

  Since compose started, the rats started. We never had rats in our basement until compose. Plain and simple.

  Comment added July 29, 2023 8:13am

• Jane

  This sounds like a poorly thought out idea. Composting, like recycling, is a good thing, but if not executed properly it’s literally a waste of time and resources. Without continuous and mandatory education, you will end up with whole batch of recyclables/compost ruined because it’s contaminated by stuff that wasn’t supposed to be in there. (Happens now with recycling). Without proper administration like frequent pickups, you get piles of vermin infested trash in an incredibly dense city.
  Do central drop offs, frequent and effective, and then educate educate educate. Mandate how to compost first in schools at all levels, and make sure there are available compost dropoffs so that every student can bring their family’s compost to dropoff site. Isn’t that the point of being in a dense urban city?

  Comment added July 29, 2023 9:24am

• Kathleen Elvin

  We have tried to participate in composting recycling. Not a single tenant participated and threw out with regular trash. Requiring composting separation is going to compel owners to go through tenant trash and remove organic matter. This is both near impossible and detrimental to owners health.

  Comment added July 29, 2023 9:38am

• Pamela Wolff

  It is sad but true that New Yorkers will not all be able to comply with the proposed rule. I have come to believe that the best solution is already being implemented. The street corner bins that have appeared in Chelsea are a great step toward solving the food waste issue, and one that all NYers that are inclined are able to access with the app. I have found it easy to do.
  I store food wastes in my freezer and use the bin at my corner once a week, at any hour.
  Requiring building maintenance to take on one more chore is not a viable approach. Perhaps allowing willing buildings to sign up for the program rather than forcing the plan down all throats would be a good start.

  Comment added July 29, 2023 2:37pm

• Marcelino I Lake II

  In favor of the separation of organic waste; tenants can place the waste in separate bins. Owners should have to store bins for an extended period of time. The city must create a plan to pick up the waste.

  Comment added July 30, 2023 10:09am

• Kelly G

  While quite valid, stating the cost & difficulty to comply are not enough reasons to oppose this rule. However, the complete stupidity of it is. Rotting food that is collected twice & in some cases three times a week must now be stored indoors for an entire week! Where do you propose it be stored? Next to the boiler where it can be kept warm for the rats that have moved in? The city will then claim victory over the rat problem because they’re no longer outside. Buildings will also be infested with flies & maggots. The pervasive stench will be intolerable. This rule is obviously created by someone with ties to the exterminating industry because they’re the only ones who’ll benefit. Those in favor are singing the praises of the current pilot program. Yet they voluntarily bring their food scraps to bins OUTSIDE. This rule should first be tested in government owned residences so the effectiveness can be properly assessed.

  Comment added July 30, 2023 10:45am

• Irving Friedman

  I feel very strongly that the separation of organic waste would not only impact our supers and porters, but would greatly be a cause for further rodents issue. As is, we have difficulty making sure tenants separate the regular recyclables, and when our staff must do it we lose time in ensuring better building cleanliness as well as time to make repairs for tenants as needed. This law would further impact as well as being degrading for our staff to go through tenant’s garbage bags and sifting out the organic waste. Our Staff are treated as people not animals who sniff out garbage bags.

  Comment added July 30, 2023 12:22pm

• Liliane Martin

  This is only an acceptable solution if the organic waste gets picked up at the same time as the regular garbage. If we have to store organic waste for more than a few days, the smell will be overwhelming and it will attract rodents.
  Didn’t we try to do this with the brown containers in the past? Why didn’t it work? Why should we try a failed experiment a third time?

  Thanks for your consideration.

  Liliane Martin

  Comment added July 30, 2023 5:41pm

• Ingrid DuBois

  My billionaire landlord refuses to provide a disposal bin for organic waste because he cannot make money at it. Providing this bin should be required by law for ALL building owners. In office buildings, renters that do not use the recycling bins after they become mandatory should be FINED. (In residential buildings this waste could not be tracked to a specific apartment, alas.) NYC’s recycling “efforts” need much improvement in a troubled world.

  Comment added July 31, 2023 7:30am

• S. Cummings

  Dear Sirs/Madams:

  As I recall there was a test run of the composting bins in Brooklyn and parts of Queens several years ago, circa 2017.

  The idea was great but the level of participation was low, and the brown bins were removed.

  To now attempt to enforce this composing and place the burden on landlords who are already overwhelmed with non paying tenants and a backlogged court system is outrageous.

  There are tens of thousands of water bottoms and plastic containers to be properly disposed of and environmentally replaced with biodegradable materials.

  Do not place more unrealistic pressure on small landlords. Start with teaching the public the benefits of composting and reward New Yorkers with refund points if they bring their perishables to a designated location – where perhaps after 10 visits they receive a gift card for food or plants.

  Landlords and homeowners already have to disrupt their dinner and family time to place trash on curb after 8p. Now you expect us to rummage through personal trash and separate God knows what from salvia saturated food leftovers??? UNSANITARY AND UNHEALTHY!!

  Figure out other longterm solutions and come up with other plans for a Greener NYC…

  Health to You and Yours

  I have lyrics to theme “New York, New York” but it appeals to New Yorkers to recycle and take care of Planet Earth…

  Contact me directly if interested in starting a campaign to teach composting and recycling.

  Regards
  Concerned New Yorker

  Comment added July 31, 2023 3:51pm

• S. Cummings

  Dear Sirs/Madams:

  As I recall there was a test run of the composting bins in Brooklyn and Parts of Queens several years ago, circa 2017.

  The idea was great but the level of participation was low, and the brown bins were removed.

  To now attempt to enforce this composing and place the burden on landlords who are already overwhelmed with non paying tenants and a backlogged court system is outrageous.

  There are tens of thousands of water bottoms and plastic container to be properly disposed of and environmentally replaced with biodegradable materials.

  Do not place more unrealistic pressure on small landlords. Start with teaching the public the benefits of composting and reward New Yorkers with refund points if they bring their perishables to a designated location – where perhaps after 10 visits they receive a gift card for food or plants.

  Landlords and homeowners already have to disrupt their dinner and family time to place trash on curb after 8p. Now you expect us to rummage through personal trash and separate God knows what from salvia saturated food leftovers??? UNSANITARY AND UNHEALTHY!!

  Figure out other longterm solutions and come up with other plans for a Greener NYC…

  Health to You and Yours

  I have lyrics to theme “New York, New York” but it appeals to New Yorkers to recycle and take care of Planet Earth…

  Contact me directly if interested in starting a campaign to teach composting and recycling.

  Regards
  Concerned New Yorker
  646.713.9108

  Comment added July 31, 2023 3:55pm

• Manuel Martinez

  I’m a property manger for a 100 multi-family units in the Bronx, NY.

  I strongly OPPOSE this proposal as it is quite difficult to get the tenats to cooperate in composting despite all of efforts.

  Not only would we need new and sufficient compost bins, we would need to deal with vermin: maggots, roaches and of course mice/ rats. Holding compost for any period of time would lead to the infestation of vermin into the bldgs and APTs.

  The practicability of this idea is in effective and inefficient.

  Again, I strongly OPPOSE this proposal.

  Comment added August 1, 2023 2:23am

• Frances

  I oppose this rule. This should be an all hands on efforts. However, currently tenants do not recycle properly let alone expecting them to maintaining storage bins in their apts for composting. In addition, whether these bins are outdoors/in basements or in respective apts they will emanate foul odors that will radiate widely, this will result in attracting more mice, rats, maggots, insects, etc. In addition, please keep in mind, tenants never securely close lids, this will allow rodents access to this composite. Unless you’re able to effectively mandate this law with tenants (not only landlords) it’s a plan that will shortly after implementing fail. Please reconsider. We need long term solutions not short term plans.

  Comment added August 1, 2023 9:09am

• Thomas Lopez

  The proposed plan will not solve the problem of rats infestation or waste disposal is inadequate. Basement storage will only cause increased rodent or other pests within buildings and add to owner expenses which will drive up rents. The only real solution is to increase sanitation pickups and disposal. Shifting costs to owners is not right and will drive up rents.

  Comment added August 1, 2023 11:27am

• Alice Dear

  I recognize the immensity of the rat problem in New York, however I strongly oppose this legislation that will invite rodents into our homes with requirements that we store organic waste inside!

  Comment added August 2, 2023 8:33am

• Patricia Attara Marchetti

  The storage of organic waste indoors will attract rodents which pose additional problems for both the tenants and the landlords.

  Comment added August 4, 2023 8:10am

• Alison Bradshaw

  There are several problems with implementing this proposal universally on all sizes of buildings:
   1. Our small 3-story 1870 building has little room for the 6 bins you demand. With a front stoop, a gate to basement stairs, the 4 bins we already have, each fitted with plastic bags and tops, take up most of the frontage. With 2 large bins for Designated recyclable metal, glass and plastic, and  designated recyclable paper, and 2 bins for household trash, you would think that was enough for the 4 tenants, as the bins are emptied 1-3x/week.But they are regularly overwhelmed by -strangers for their trash and their dog shit, – people from the large school opposite  – the kids and parents use our bins. and are sloppy, – some  neighbors in nearby buildings, even though this is illegal, – and tenants fail to put trash properly, and fail to cut cardboard into sizes to fit into the recycling.  2. Requiring this small building to put out two more bins (for Designated yard waste and Designated organic waste) makes this small residential building look like a garbage dump, and would smell like one too. 3. There is no room inside for storing any waste in the narrow central hall or in the basement which is private (as part of one apartment).
  4. The idea of putting bins in the back of the building at the ‘garden’ level is absurd – there is no tenant access to put anything in so how can a bin there be used? and the possibility getting a super to first collect, then store, and further bring any size bag or container across the length of the building through the back and front cellar doors, and up a set of narrow stairs, is not s well thought out proposition
  5. You do not address the problem of the passers-by. You could make this situation better by – allowing a Landlord to fine tenants for non-compliance, [names are on the papers]- allowing a Landlord to get a fine registered for a neighbor who mis-uses their bins, – fine dog people for failing to put their waste in proper bins, – allow for Landlords to report and fine dog-owners for allowing their dogs to poop on the sidewalk and failing to pick it up, – and fine car drivers parking in front of the building and leaving trash from their cars on the street, or on the sidewalk   – – remove the requirement that a Landlord be responsible for trash 18″ from the curb, ( and yes, the city gave us a $100 fine for such trash on the street which had been hidden by a parked car until the driver moved it after our super had attended to the trash bags) – put out more city-operated garbage bins at every corner, not just on some corners. The city regulations put far too much responsibility onto a Landlord for actions that are neither possible for a LL to control, or to know about, or to prevent. You allot fines to Landlords for sidewalk and street cleaning that unfairly assume they are responsible when it is the actions of many other people which cause the trash problem.

  Comment added August 5, 2023 11:48am

• Ricky Zegelstein

  We have 4 small brownstones and our commercial tenants have the basement. We are not allowed to keep trash near the stairwells as it is a hazard. The commercial spaces wouldn’t want trash cans/containers in front of their windows and there is no separate space to put them anyway. The commercial tenants leave before 8 pm and the new rules with times are hard to abide by. My cleaning person is gone by 4 so he doesn’t have a place to store everything and won’t be around at 8 pm. Very difficult to follow the rules.

  Comment added August 6, 2023 11:42am

• Gregory bronner

  I live in a building that is 16 feet wide. The garbage can storage area is already overburdened with three cans for garbage, metal, and paper, and we have a terrible rat problem on the block. Adding another can of rat food that will almost never be used by my one tenant is a waste, considering that there is a secure organic collection point 100 feet away. This regulation is a burden and needs to be limited to larger buildings.

  Comment added August 6, 2023 2:28pm

• Lilibeth

  So many people are complaining that this invites rats, smells, vermin, etc. but that’s part of the point: *Separate/recycle organics (that people will trash anyway!) in sealed containers* This is so that we can build up the infrastructure and reuse our organics as a resource not as trash. So many mention this but it’s either a misconception or ignorance that organics recycling will invite pest issues. (like these names: Ed Rich, Michael Peters, Christopher Athineos (you’re right – there needs to be education on how to best keep bins clean and use bag liners.), Paola Zacharakos, Leonard Fox (check out DSNY Smart Bins), Kris Tapper, Ameet Sachdev (brown bins don’t have holes at the bottom, IRENE KNECHT, JRC Xuereb Mark Gigi Porcelli Derrick Jackson Bernadette Dinaria Feggaropoulos Petra Conte Corey John Green (this is an attempt to *reduce* trash, Nan schiff eisenberg, Jo Wo (the point is that this will put more compost sites out for residents). Michael Peters (yes, education and coordination of labor power))

  Check out what Kara Kelly said about best practices. Also, check out your borough’s SWAB (Solid Waste Advisory Board) and other organizations that are helping to make this program a success as it has worked in so many other cities/countries.

  Comment added August 7, 2023 7:54pm

• Jean Bradshaw

  This cannot work all sizes of buildings:
   My 28′ wide brick building is completely crowded with: the stoop, the 4 bins we have, the gate to the basement stairs, a garden triangle. Two more bins makes this small residential building look like a garbage dump, and would smell like one too. The  4 bins, emptied 1-3x/week, are  regularly overwhelmed by 1. strangers for their trash and their dog shit, 2. people from the large school opposite  3. the kids and parents use our bins. and are sloppy, 4.  some  neighbors in nearby buildings, even though this is illegal, – and 4. tenants fail to put trash properly, and fail to cut cardboard into sizes to fit into the recycling.  Inside? The narrow central hall cannot hold any bins without being a fire hazard. The basement is private (and has the boiler room, etc.
  There is no back of the building at the ‘garden’ level .
  You should look into the problem of the passers-by dropping garbage, The city regulations put far too much responsibility onto a Landlord for actions that are neither possible for a LL to control, or to know about, or to prevent. You allot fines to Landlords for sidewalk and street cleaning that unfairly assume they are responsible when it is the actions of many other people which cause the trash problem.
  Why not have a Landlord report or  fine tenants for non-compliance, –  get a fine registered for a neighbor who mis-uses bins not their own, – fine dog people for failing to put their waste in proper bins, – fine dog-owners for allowing their dogs to poop on the sidewalk and failing to pick it up, – and fine car drivers parking in front of the building and leaving trash from their cars on the street, or on the sidewalk   – – remove the requirement that a Landlord be responsible for trash 18″ from the curb, ( what about the $100 fine for trash found on the street when the driver moved) – how about more city-operated garbage bins at every corner, not just on some corners. 

  Comment added August 9, 2023 1:51pm

• Marc Shifflett

  The new proposed rules for Source Separation of Residential Organic Waste are an important first step that I support but underscores the need for DSNY and the Mayors office to coordinate in order to better inform and educate residents, businesses, institutions, and NGO’s on the need to pursue a policy of mandatory source separation of organic food waste.

  I would recommend a few things to help the process move forward:

  Work closely with the Mayor and OTI (NYC Open Data) to publish all relevant data regarding the program generally and mandatory organics specifically

  Design in more granularity to the existing data, particularly when it comes to residential source separation, collection, and pre/post-processing.

  Set up an advisory committee composed of all the stakeholders, abiding by the principles set forth in the CLCPA tasked to address waste equity along with incentivising, decontaminating, and reducing our waste streams across the many diverse communities as a tool to assist city-wide climate resilience planning and emergency resource allocation.

  Establish a complaint category in NYC 311 for Smart bins (NYCCompost)

  Comment added August 9, 2023 10:26pm

• Kate Scholz

  I am in full support of the City of New York advancing efforts in separating organic waste and diverting it from landfill. Effective waste diversion requires significant and widespread participation. The prescribed curbside program may not suffice for every resident / household. I recommend language be added that allows residents to opt out of mandatory participation in curbside collection of source separated organic waste if utilizing any of the following options:
  – Backyard Composting
  – Drop-off at Green Market, community garden, community composting site and/or smart Bin
  – Technology innovations for in-home kitchens such as smart kitchen bins, kitchen bin dehydrators with closed loop processing, and similar interventions.

  Comment added August 9, 2023 11:53pm