The Next Move in Recycling

Curbside composting comes to New York City

New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg called it the "final recycling frontier," and now the city's residents will have to decide whether to cross it. Bloomberg's administration plans to launch a curbside composting program, with residents separating food scraps from their trash just as they do now, at least in theory, with paper, glass and plastics. Though New Yorkers are indifferent recyclers--just 15% of the city's residential waste is diverted from landfills--pilot food-recycling programs have already been successful. The entire city should begin by 2015 or '16. Food compost is messier than paper and plastic containers; it can attract vermin in...

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