The city has begun rolling out universal curbside organics collection in Queens — the city’s first borough-wide collection of food and yard waste. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will pick up the compostable waste from the curb weekly in the World’s Borough — no sign-up required. DSNY is piloting the program for about three months until the week of Dec. 23, pausing for the winter, and then restarting it in late March, according to an agency spokesperson.

“We are excited to be launching the largest curbside composting program in the nation,” said Vincent Gragnani. “Participation in this program will bring us a cleaner city  — with fewer feeding opportunities for rats and other critters — and a more sustainable future.” Leaf and yard waste, food waste, and food-soiled paper can all go in a bin, and New York’s Strongest will pick it up on the same day as recycling.

Separately put out recyclables, such as metal, glass rigid plastic, beverage cartons, clean recyclable paper, and cardboard. Do not mix in trash like diapers, hygienic products, animal waste, wrappers and packaging, or foam products. DSNY gave out tens of thousands of free brown bins on request until this past Saturday, according to Gragnani, but any bin with a secure latched lid works, to keep rats from getting in.

To read the full story, visit https://www.amny.com/news/curbside-organics-collection-queens-starts/.
Author: Kevin Duggan, AMNY
Image: Michael Appleton, Mayor’s Office, AMNY

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