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Q&A
Discussion on mandatory composting law enforcement and collection rates
0:39:24
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159 sec
Council Member Abreu and Commissioner Lojan discuss the enforcement and results of the mandatory composting law, including collection rates and diversion targets.
- 240% increase in compostable material collection after initial enforcement
- Current collection rate increased from 1% to 5%
- City's diversion rate increased from 17% to 20%
- Discussion on city's targets for waste diversion
Shaun Abreu
0:39:24
For joining us today.
0:39:26
In April 2025, New York City began enforcing its mandatory composting law resorting resulting in nearly 2,000 fines issued in the first week.
0:39:35
This enforcement led to a 240% increase in compostable material collection compared to the same period the previous year.
0:39:45
However, the city soon paused most fines to focus on education and outreach, acknowledging the need for greater public understanding of the program.
0:39:55
This shift raises important questions about the financial and operational aspects of the composting initiative.
0:40:03
What is the current collection rate of compostable materials citywide, and how does this compare to the city's targets for waste diversion?
0:41:20
Is did you provide the current collection rate of compostable material citywide right now?
0:41:26
Oh, as far as the Of like the overall
0:41:40
Alright.
0:41:40
So that is an increase.
0:41:41
Obviously, much lower.
0:41:42
And what's this what's the city's targets for waste diversion?
0:41:46
And how does it compare?
0:41:47
The 5%, how does
Javier Lojan
0:40:13
So I think one of the things that we were happy to see was that in the first full month when the compost program became mandatory, we saw just over 18,000,000 pounds of residential compostable material diverted from landfills, which is a almost a 400% increase over the same period last year.
0:40:36
So our April 2025 diversion rate is a preliminary number of 20%, which is up from last the same period last year, which was 70%.
0:40:50
And 70% was a number that was pretty stagnant for a long time.
0:40:54
So we saw a three point increase, which is pretty substantial, and that's just due in part for from the, you know, composting, curbside composting program.
0:41:06
But and also, I just wanna highlight that in in one of those weeks, we saw a record setting number of just over £5,000,000 diverted, so which is one of the highest weeks we've ever had in in in in history.
0:41:31
Yeah.
0:41:31
So we were at previously, we were at a 1% capture rate.
0:41:35
And now at the April, it's up to 5% of capture rate.
0:41:49
So obviously, we'd like it to be a lot higher.
0:41:51
A third of the waste is is compostable.
0:41:54
So, you know, look, it's the first month.
0:41:57
It's just that real great step in the right direction.
0:41:59
So we would like to see that higher, but, you know, I think it's a good step seeing that kind of progress.
Rafael Salamanca, Jr.
0:41:48
it Right.