Curbside Composting for NYC Schools - DSNY

New York City Department of Sanitation


ResidentsSchools & AgenciesGet Rid of …Containerization

Clean and Green Schools
Schools Setout
Schools Setup & Operations
Schools Recycling
Schools Curbside Composting
Schools Recycling Plan & Reporting
NYC Agencies & Nonprofits
NYCHA
Electronics & Harmful Waste
NYC Agency Safe Handling Contract
NYC Agency Recycling Plan & Annual Reporting

Clean and Green Schools

Schools Setout

Schools Setup & Operations

Schools Recycling

Schools Curbside Composting

Schools Recycling Plan & Reporting

NYC Agencies & Nonprofits

NYCHA

Electronics & Harmful Waste

NYC Agency Safe Handling Contract

NYC Agency Recycling Plan & Annual Reporting


Schools Curbside Composting

Curbside Composting has expanded to every public school in New York City. Over 1,950 unique schools, including ALL NYC Public Schools (NYCPS) and some private and charter schools, now receive service.

Schools have received training on proper separation of food waste from trash and have access to ongoing educational and operational support from NYCPS and DSNY.

Read our NYC Guide to Clean and Green Schools.

Curbside Composting Service

Public Schools

All Public schools managed by NYCPS receive Curbside Composting service.

Private Schools

Private and charter schools can arrange for food waste collection from a private carter if they are ineligible for DSNY Curbside Composting service.

Find out more about licensed private carters approved by the Business Integrity Commission (BIC).

Composting Guidelines

Setting Up Your Cafeteria

What Goes in the Brown Bin or Labeled Tilt Truck

Empty Liquids Into a Bucket

What Does Not Go in the Brown Bin or Labeled Tilt Truck

Setting Compost Out for Collection

Setting Up Your Cafeteria

Read our NYC Guide to Clean & Green Schools to learn how to set up waste sorting stations in your school.

Download and order signage or decals for your cafeteria and bins to designate waste sorting stations and inform students and staff on proper waste separation.

In schools, food scraps and food-soiled paper are placed in DSNY-issued brown bins or labeled tilt trucks. Use clear plastic liners to keep your bins clean.

Empty liquids into a bucket before placing containers in a recycling bin.

What Goes in the Brown Bin or Labeled Tilt Truck

Vegetables and fruit

Prepared foods

Baked goods

Cereal, flour, grains, pasta, and rice

Eggs and eggshells

Dairy products

Nuts, meat, fish, and bones

Paper towels and napkins

Paper plates

Coffee filters and tea bags

Paper bags

Paper food boats

Paper trays and plant-based compostable trays*

Compostable utensils*

Put plant, leaf, and yard waste in paper lawn and leaf bags, clear plastic bags, or a DSNY brown bin.

*Learn more about how to make sure certain products are compostable.

Empty Liquids Into a Bucket

Include a bucket with a strainer for liquids at your waste sorting station. Students and staff should pour out liquids before recycling bottles, cans, milk cartons, juice boxes, and cups. The strainer prevents cereal, straws, and other debris from clogging your drain when the bucket is emptied.

What Does Not Go in the Brown Bin or Labeled Tilt Truck

Do not put trash or recycling in the brown bin or labeled tilt truck.

Items that cannot be composted or recycled include:

Condiment packets

Juice pouches

Markers

Facial tissue

Paper towels

Food wrappers

Masks

Disposable gloves

Wet wipes

Setting Compost Out for Collection

Set your bins out at the curb with their lids secured shut. DO NOT place out loose bags containing food scraps.

Curbside Composting is collected from schools five days a week, Monday through Friday (on days when students are in attendance).

NOTE: When schools have a night or weekend event, compostable material must be stored on school property until 3:00 PM on the next collection day.

Learn more about setout rules and schedules for schools.

Download the DSNY setout schedule for NYC schools.