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Ulster County, NY Trash & Recycling: Mandatory Organics Recycling (2026)

Significant Restrictions
Compiled from the official code textEditor Martyn O'NeillLast verified September 2026

Key Facts

Governing law
Ulster County Code §§ 304-45–304-56
Who is covered
Large food scraps generators only
2024 threshold
Over 0.5 ton/week of scraps
First step required
Donate excess edible food

Summary

Ulster County's Food Waste Prevention and Recovery Act forces large food scraps generators to donate edible surplus and divert the rest to composting or an organics recycler, phased in by weekly tonnage.

These county ordinances apply to unincorporated areas of Ulster County. Incorporated cities within the county may have their own rules that take precedence over county-level regulations.

Large food scraps generators shall be subject to the requirements of § 304-51 as of the following dates:

A. Beginning January 1, 2021, a large food scraps generator whose acts or processes produce more than two tons per week of food scraps;

B. Beginning January 1, 2022, a large food scraps generator whose acts or processes produce more than one ton per week of food scraps;

C. Beginning January 1, 2023, a large food scraps generator whose acts or processes produce more than 0.75 ton per week of food scraps; and

D. Beginning January 1, 2024, a large food scraps generator whose acts or processes produce more than 0.5 ton per week of food scraps.

§ 304-51. Requirements for large food scraps generators. [Amended 6-15-2021 by L.L. No. 4-2021; 12-21-2021 by L.L. No. 1-2022]

A. A large food scraps generator shall separate excess edible food for donation for human consumption to the maximum extent practicable, and in accordance with applicable laws, rules and regulations related to food donation.

B. A large food scraps generator shall manage food scraps that cannot be donated for human consumption as follows:

(1) Separate its remaining food scraps from other solid waste;

(2) Ensure proper storage for food scraps on site which shall preclude such materials from becoming odorous or attracting vectors, such as a container that has a lid and a latch that keeps the lid closed and is resistant to tampering by rodents or other wildlife and has sufficient capacity;

View official code

Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: rev 4818905; v25 updated 2025-11-18; through 11-18-2025).

Full Breakdown

Ulster County Code §§ 304-45 through 304-56 phase in mandatory organics diversion for large food scraps generators, with the threshold dropping over time: 2 tons/week starting 2021, then 1 ton, 0.75 ton, and finally 0.5 ton/week beginning January 1, 2024. Covered generators must first separate excess edible food for donation, then divert remaining scraps to an organics recycler, on-site composting or digestion, or animal feed, and file annual reports with the County. Small financial-hardship waivers exist. This is a food-scraps diversion mandate for larger operations, not a curbside organics program for households.

Violations & Fines

First violation after a written warning: up to $100; second: up to $250; third and beyond: up to $500 per day per violation, under § 304-55.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Ulster County require households to separate food scraps?
No. The law under § 304-50 applies only to 'large food scraps generators' meeting a weekly tonnage threshold, not to individual residents.
What must a covered generator do with food scraps it can't donate?
Under § 304-51, it must separate them from other solid waste and send them to an organics recycler, on-site composting/digestion, or use as animal feed.

Sources & Official References

Other rules in Ulster County

All Ulster County rules

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