Assemblyman William Colton (D—Gravesend, Bensonhurst, Bath Beach and Dyker Heights) wants to alert residents of Southwest Brooklyn that curbside composting of organic waste is going boroughwide, beginning October 2.

Previously, curbside composting had been available only to Brooklyn residents in certain neighborhoods, Assemblyman Colton points out. But, starting in October, everyone in the borough will be able to participate, marking the first time that the service will be available to people living in southwest Brooklyn. Residents should put out food and yard waste on the same day that they put out recycling for pickup, says Assemblyman Colton.

“As well as all yard waste, the composting program includes food scraps and food-soiled paper such as greasy paper plates, used paper towels and napkins, and pizza boxes,” notes Assemblyman Colton. Food scraps include not only waste from fruits and vegetables but also meat, bones, coffee and tea bags, dairy and leftover prepared foods, he explains. Paper products should be uncoated.

Assemblyman Colton stresses that, according to the Department of Sanitation, once composting begins, residents will be required to separate leaf and yard waste, putting it into a DSNY brown bin, a labeled bin with a secure lid (55 gallons or less) or into a paper lawn and leaf bag or a clear plastic bag. Twigs and branches must be bundled with twine and set out for collection next to bins or bags.

Food waste and food-soiled paper should be set out in either a labeled bin with a secure lid (55 gallons or less) or a DSNY-supplied brown bin, says Assemblyman Colton. Either bin should be lined with a bag, which should be tied prior to putting the bin out for collection. Bags of food waste should not be put directly at the curb. Food waste can only be mixed with leaves and yard waste inside a bin with a secure lid.

Buildings with 4+ units must have a storage area with clearly labeled bins available to residents.

Waste disposed of through the composting program is not headed for landfills, Assemblyman Colton notes. Instead, he points out, it is used to make compost, some of which the city distributes for free to residents, or to create renewable energy. Residents can register for an upcoming compost distribution event by going to https://tinyurl.com/bdedrsjr. Upcoming events include one at the P.S. 216 Edible School Yard, 350 Avenue X, on September 10 and one at Bensonhurst Park at Cropsey Avenue and Bay Parkway on September 14.

There are important benefits to composting, Assemblyman Colton says. These include reducing methane emissions from landfills, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. “By participating in composting, residents are helping the environment, and also can save money,” Assemblyman Colton says.

To order a free lidded brown bin, go to https://tinyurl.com/mwr7va2r by October 13. The city’s Department of Sanitation says bins ordered by September 1 are guaranteed to be delivered before compost pickups begin.

Composting bin decals are also available for free from the Department of Sanitation. Go to https://tinyurl.com/5f3z56za.