Composting Organic Waste at State and Municipal buildings in New York Bill - Summer

Team Members: Silvia Vargas, Maria Florencia Perez, Celine Andriana, Alan Chan, Astrid Giraud, Sarah Haris, Haoyang Li, Zhibo Guan, Daniela Fandiño Santos, Kanishka Pandey, Kunyue Zhou

This report analyzes New York Assembly Bill A02467, which proposes expanding composting programs at state and municipal buildings to reduce organic waste sent to landfills. Organic waste—primarily food scraps, yard waste, and compostable materials—represents a significant portion of New York’s municipal waste stream and contributes substantially to greenhouse gas emissions when disposed of in landfills. When organic waste decomposes under anaerobic conditions, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that significantly accelerates climate change. Diverting organic waste from landfills to composting systems has the potential to reduce emissions, improve soil health, and create renewable energy opportunities through anaerobic digestion.

The report proposes a policy framework requiring state and municipal agencies to implement organic waste diversion systems, either through on-site composting or through partnerships with authorized composting facilities. Implementation would involve establishing collection infrastructure, coordinating transportation logistics, and ensuring compliance with reporting requirements overseen by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). The authors also examine potential challenges, including limited composting infrastructure, operational costs, and the need for standardized waste separation practices across government facilities. To evaluate the program’s success, the report proposes performance indicators such as organic waste diversion rates, methane emissions reductions, and participation across government agencies. By promoting composting within public institutions, the bill seeks to reduce landfill reliance, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and support New York State’s broader climate and waste management goals.

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