NYC's New Composting Law Sparks Outrage Among Landlords

New York City's new composting law, which took effect on April 1, mandates that property owners separate organic waste from regular garbage, with fines ranging from $25 to $300 for non-compliance. Landlords and building superintendents have expressed outrage, arguing that the law unfairly places the burden of enforcement on them while allowing tenants to dispose of waste without consequence. Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association, criticized the requirement as turning building maintenance into a 'daily dumpster dive'. The city aims to combat its rat problem and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through composting, but landlords like Christopher Athineos argue that they lack the means to enforce compliance among tenants. The Department of Sanitation insists that separating compostable materials is a necessary extension of existing recycling requirements. Despite the pushback, the city remains firm on implementing the law to improve waste management.