Can you use black plastic bags in New York City for organic waste

[Ralph Yozzo]

No, you cannot use black plastic bags for organic waste or curbside composting in New York City. The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) strictly prohibits them for this purpose.

Because curbside composting is now mandatory citywide, setting your organics out incorrectly can result in fines for the property.

Here is exactly how you are required to bag and bin your organic waste:

For Food Scraps & Food-Soiled Paper

All food waste must be placed inside a designated collection bin (either an official DSNY brown bin or any labeled bin 55 gallons or less with a secure lid). To line the bin or collect scraps, you may use:

• Clear plastic bags
• Compostable bags (certified or labeled compostable)
• Paper bags
• Note: You can also use small, clear plastic shopping or grocery takeout bags to collect daily kitchen scraps before throwing them into the main lined bin. DSNY uses specialized sorting machinery to filter out plastic liners during processing, but they require them to be clear so sanitation workers can easily verify the contents and ensure trash isn't being mixed in.

For Leaf & Yard Waste

If you have yard waste, you have two options for setting it out on your recycling day:

1. Inside a bin: Place it directly into your secure, labeled compost bin (which can be lined with a clear plastic, paper, or compostable bag).
2. Directly on the curb: If you have extra yard waste that won't fit in a bin, it must be placed exclusively in paper lawn and leaf bags or clear plastic bags. Twigs and branches can also be bundled with twine and placed next to the bins or bags.

Warning on Fines: Mixing compostable materials with regular trash or using improper set-out methods (like black bags) carries a fine starting at $25 for buildings with 1–8 units and $100 for buildings with 9 or more units.

If you need a quick reference on what belongs in the compost versus the trash, let me know!