Understanding Resident Participation in New York City’s Curbside Composting Program: A Case Study of Queens

Food waste is a significant contributor to climate change, causing 58% of methane emissions from landfills in the United States. To manage its food waste, New York City (NYC), the largest city in the United States, instituted a citywide Curbside Composting program in 2015. Using a mixed methods approach, this research focuses on its implementation in New York City’s most diverse borough (Queens), examining residents’ awareness, participation, and attitudes toward the program. Data collection methods included an online survey of 83 residents of Queens, eight follow-up semi-structured interviews, and an interview with an informant from the NYC Department of Sanitation (DSNY). Findings from the survey indicate that while the majority of respondents identified benefits of the program, only 49% participated in some capacity. The most common motivators for participation were environmental and sustainability benefits. Additionally, the main deterrent to participation was lack of awareness. Findings from this study provide a community-specific understanding of the behaviors regarding NYC’s Curbside Composting Program. While this study is centered on Queens, these findings could provide insights for NYC and cities internationally looking to implement or improve organic waste collection and composting programs.