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Nosy Neighbor: Why are we allowed to use plastic bags in our compost bins?
A. asked: “The city says we can line the brown bins with plastic bags, but it feels like it is not in the spirit of composting. Is that correct?”
So the composting rules for the new brown bins allow them to be lined with clear plastic, paper or compostable bags or (the best option, but a challenge for people without a hose) not at all. I thought the plastic allowance was odd too, so I checked with the Department of Sanitation. Turns out they can pull the bags out.
“Yes, it is a sorting process,” said the DSNY spokesman. “We have machines that separate bags from organic material. As such, we encourage residents to use a clear plastic bag, a compostable bag or a paper bag to line their compost bin.
“This is one of the innovations that makes this program easy for all New Yorkers to participate in.”
And he added the photos here of the Tiger sorting machine at the Staten Island Compost Facility.
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This is what you care about?? There are drug addicts injecting themselves in Bogardus Plaza and in Battery Park, and this is your concern?
Thank you for the helpful information! I had wondered the same thing.
The “real” reason is that this is not truly compost. It is considered food waste. Food waste is incinerated to create energy. Compost is used to fertilize plants.
Agreed- this isn’t composting. I wish they’d bring back the grownNYC team at the Saturday market.
you don’t have to use a brown bin for compost.
We were wondering about this as well. Thanks for the info!
Suggest watching the NYC Sanitation Departments YouTube video explaining the process. Very informative. .