Compost collection will expand across New York City's five boroughs starting this weekend. While some New Yorkers see it as an inconvenience, the Department of Sanitation emphasizes its benefit to the environment and the city's fight against rats.

Beginning on Sunday, Oct. 6, all New York City residents will have to separate their organic waste from their regular trash. The compost will have to be placed at the curb for pick up on the same day that New Yorkers put their recycling out.

Most city residents are supposed to start separating compostable food and garden scraps from their trash in all five boroughs Oct. 6 — but if their past recycling track record is any

Starting Sunday, curbside composting will roll out in Manhattan, the Bronx and Staten Island, following successful launches in Queens and Brooklyn.

That means residents will need to place all yard waste, like plants, leaves, twigs and grass, as well as food waste, like meat, bones, dairy, fruits and vegetables, in designated compost bins as opposed to traditional trash cans.

New Yorkers across all five boroughs will be required to compost their food waste and garden scraps as part of the city’s ongoing effort to reduce waste and tackle the rat problem.