Politics & Government

Mandatory Composting: A Good Idea?

City could make recycled food waste compulsory by 2016.

This article was written by Matthew Hampton.

Mayor Michael Bloomberg's quality of life crusades seemingly never end. 

Between smoking, trans-fats, large sodas and styrofoam, you've got to give the guy credit for target selection. When he takes on a cause he does not mess around.

His latest idea? Food waste composting for New York City — and possibly making it mandatory.
The program, which would be based on similar initiatives in places like Seattle and San Francisco, would ultimately be part of a long term goal to greatly reduce the city's dependence on landfills, according to the New York Times.

Obviously, Bloomberg himself would not be in a position to shepherd the program to that mandatory level, but some mayoral candidates — including front-runner Christine Quinn — have expressed support for the program.

What do you think? Should the city start forcing its residents to sort food waste? Or is that a bridge too far?


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