Int 0864-2026

Int. No. 864 By Council Members Epstein, Hanif, Aldebol, Banks and Morano ..Title A Local Law in relation to establishing a pilot program for collecting dog feces at dog runs for the purpose of composting ..Body Be it enacted by the Council as follows: Section 1. a. Definitions. For purposes of this local law, the following terms have the following meanings: Agency. The term "agency" has the same meaning as set forth in section 1-112 of the administrative code of the city of New York. Compost facility. The term "compost facility" means a physical location at which controlled aerobic decomposition of organic material takes place for production of stable soil amendments. Dog run. The term "dog run" means an enclosed area of a park under the jurisdiction of the department of parks and recreation in which a pet dog, accompanied by the owner of or person supervising such dog, is permitted to engage in leisure activity without use of a leash or other restraint. b. Pilot program. The commissioner of parks and recreation, in consultation with the commissioner of sanitation, commissioner of health and mental hygiene, and head of any other relevant agency as determined by the commissioner of parks and recreation, shall establish a pilot program to collect dog feces at dog runs for the purpose of composting. As part of such program, the commissioner shall: 1. Install 1 collection bin, designated for dog feces to be composted, at or adjacent to the entrance way of each dog run; 2. Install 1 dispenser containing compostable bags for dog feces on or adjacent to each collection bin; 3. Refill each such dispenser with such bags as needed, but no less than once each week; 4. Install on or adjacent to each collection bin 1 sign stating (i) that individuals should use such bags and deposit dog feces in the bin; and (ii) the benefits of composting dog feces; 5. Collect all dog feces and such bags from each collection bin no less than once each day; 6. Determine which compost facilities to utilize for the composting of the collected dog feces and compostable bags for dog feces, and make best efforts to coordinate with such facilities to determine the preferred process for receiving and testing dog feces and such bags; 7. Transport the collected dog feces and compostable bags for dog feces to such facilities for composting; and 8. Clean each collection bin as needed, but no less than once each week. c. Implementation. The pilot program established under subdivision b of this section shall commence no later than 180 days after the effective date of this local law. Such pilot program shall have a duration of no less than 2 years. d. Report. No earlier than 2 years and 6 months after the effective date of this local law and no later than 3 years after such effective date, the commissioner of parks and recreation shall, in consultation with the commissioner of sanitation, the commissioner of health and mental hygiene, and head of any other relevant agency as determined by the commissioner of parks and recreation, submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council, and post on the department of parks and recreation's website, a report regarding the pilot program established under subdivision b of this section. The commissioner shall make best efforts to coordinate with the compost facilities identified under paragraph 6 of subdivision b of this section to obtain the information required in such report. Such report shall include, at minimum, the following information concerning the pilot program, to the extent such information is available to the commissioner of parks and recreation: 1. The estimated number of pounds of dog feces sent to compost facilities; 2. The estimated number of pounds of dog feces actually composted; 3. A list of locations where the compost containing dog feces was used; 4. An analysis of the impact of the pilot program on the removal of dog feces left on the ground in parks; 5. An analysis of the feasibility of composting dog feces; 6. Any challenges experienced by the commissioner during the implementation of the pilot program; and 7. Recommendations on whether to expand the pilot program, including but not limited to recommendations on whether the program should utilize self-contained composting vessels. � 2. This local law takes effect immediately. TBM LS #22179 4/2/2026 4:25 PM 1 1