Compost and the City!

April 15, 2026

NYC Sanitation's Multi-Pronged Marketing and Education Campaign Finds New Yorkers Where They Are

The New York City Department of Sanitation has recently launched a marketing and educational campaign to encourage New Yorkers to separate their food scraps – and let their building managers know they want to do it at home!

From the side of a city bus, to coffee sleeves at the local shop, to the knob on your door, to the screens on your train, the latest campaign from DSNY aims to speak to residents where they are, and give them the encouragement they need to get their building managers on board with the curbside composting program.

All residential properties must separate their food scraps, yard waste and food-soiled paper from the trash, and many comply by participating in the free and easy curbside composting program. Residents simply put their compostable material in their “brown” bin, and set the bin out for collection on their weekly recycling day. Properties that fail to do so are subject to fines.

However, not every building manager has provided residents with the proper receptacles. This campaign aims to let residents know that they have a voice and can take action.

"We want to not only educate New York City residents, but also empower them," said Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson. "We know many people want to take part in curbside compost program, but their building managers may not be providing them with the bins to do so. This campaign aims to target apartment-dwelling residents and let them know that 'yes, we hear you' and 'there's something you can do.'"

Residents who live in a building that is non-compliant may report their address to 311. The Department of Sanitation will compile and investigate those reports. The Department of Sanitation offers support and training to building managers needing those resources. Information is available at nyc.gov/compost.

Funding for this marketing was provided by a grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for an education and outreach campaign to support citywide expansion of the curbside composting program. Messages are appearing in many formats and in many places New Yorkers live, including the biggest piece, a very large Scrappy appearing on the side of city busses in an homage to the iconic Sex and the City show opening. Printed materials are appearing on doorknobs, and coffee sleeves. Digital ads can be found on the NYC Ferry and in many subway trains, along with ads appearing on social media and websites.

Press Release #26-18