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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.