Resources

New York’s Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law is already in effect — and it’s expanding. As of January 2027, the compliance threshold drops from 2 tons to 1 ton of food waste per week, bringing thousands of hotels, universities, corporate campuses, and food service operations into scope for the first time.

This guide covers everything you need to know: the full phase-by-phase compliance timeline from 2022 through 2029, exactly who qualifies, the four things a Designated Food Scraps Generator must do, how the distance rule works, available exemptions and waivers, annual reporting deadlines, and an 8-step action plan to get compliant before the deadline arrives.

Whether you’re assessing your exposure for the first time or building out a program, this is the most complete breakdown of 6 NYCRR available — written for operations, sustainability, and facilities leaders who need clarity, not legal jargon.