DSNY Announces Service Changes Due to COVID-19 Budget Cuts

The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced in a press release that beginning May 4, there will be a suspension of the curbside composting program and curbside electronics collection due to COVID-19 related budget cuts.

According to the release, any food scraps and yard waste set out for composting will be collected as trash and residents with brown bins should store their bins in a safe location for the duration of the suspension.

The curbside composting suspension is currently planned through June 30, 2021 while the electronics collection suspension will be indefinite. Food Scrap Drop-off Sites have also been temporarily closed due to social distancing mandates. The press release emphasized there will be no changes to the other curbside collection programs, including trash and mandatory recycling.

“These are painful cuts to make, and we do not take these changes lightly. The City is facing an unprecedented crisis, and these service reductions will allow the City to maintain emergency services and its core municipal services,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “We look forward to a day when we can restore our full suite of composting and electronics collection programs for City residents, and we thank all New Yorkers for their patience and cooperation as we implement these changes.”