New York Daily News reports that while still voluntary this year, next year the use of biodegradable paper composting bags will be mandatory under city law, with violators facing fines.

According to the Department of Sanitation, leaves should be placed in large heavy-duty paper lawn and leaf bags or in unlined, 20-to-32-gallon containers. Residents who put their yard waste into plastic bags will be notified as to how to properly set the waste out for collection. The plastic-bagged yard waste will be collected as regular garbage.

Next year, residents could be subject to fines for noncompliance. The paper-bagged leaves will become part of Sanitation‘‘s composting program, which offers free compost for New Yorkers to use in their backyards or community gardens.

Sanitation Commissioner John Doherty said the leaves make a high-quality compost and a "natural soil enhancer." Residents can pick up the compost through the department‘‘s fall and spring compost givebacks.

Homeowners can buy paper lawn and leaf bags at local hardware stores, Home Depot, Stop & Shop or Pathmark.