DSNY founded the NYC Compost Project (NYCCP) to provide compost outreach and education to NYC residents, and partners with the four botanical gardens.

Seasonal leaf and yard collection start in Staten Island and the Bronx

Master Composter Certificate Program is introduced. Compost givebacks & distribution are expanded.

Leaf and yard waste collection programs suspended

NYCCP shifts focus, moving away from institutions and focusing on helping residents turn food scraps into compost in backyards and community gardens

Seasonal leaf and yard waste collection resumes in Staten Island and the Bronx

Lower East Side Ecology Center joins the NYCCP & Master Composter courses resume

Seasonal leaf and yard waste collection and compost givebacks suspended

Local Organics Recover Program (LORP) begins. Big Reuse and Earth Matter added as NYCCP partners. Unstaffed food drop off locations started to be offered in all five boroughs.

Pumpkin Smash events begin

GrowNYC takes over staffing FSDOs at GreenMarkets; NYCCP partners continue processing food scraps locally

COVID crisis cancels the NYCCP; advocacy coalitions and new grassroots compost groups arise, namely Save Our Compost

Food scrap drop offs, and some NYCCP staff and programs resume in the fall with restored funding for community composting

Dozens of new or reopened FSDOs as community-led programs. Queens Curbside Brown Bins launch.

Orange “Smart Bins” launch as a pilot program, starting with 30 bins in Astoria and Lower Manhattan

Brooklyn Curbside Brown Bins launch.

Mayor Adams announces more “Smart Bins,” bringing the total to 400 bins across all five boroughs

Mayor Adams eliminates all city funding to NYCCP

City Council restores $6.25 million in funding for community composting for FY25 budget

The NYCCP is renamed NYC Community Compost Network