On March 5, 2011 GrowNYC began a pilot program to expand current food scrap collections from NYC households at select Greenmarkets. Shoppers can drop off fruit and vegetable scraps to be transported to a compost facility where they will become a fertile soil amendment for local farming projects and other uses. This program complements the existing, ongoing Greenmarket food scrap collections conducted by our community partners, Lower East Side Ecology Center (Union Square), Western Queens Compost Initiative (Sunnyside, Jackson Heights, Socrates Sculpture Park) and the Ft. Greene Compost Project.  

Why compost?
Food comprises about 17% of NYC’s waste stream. When this material is sent to a landfill it contributes to NYC’s disposal costs and can create greenhouse gas emissions. When composted, food scraps and other organic waste become a useful product that adds nutrients and improves the quality of soil for street trees, gardens and more.

Can businesses drop off materials to compost?
No. Commercial food scraps are not accepted at these sites. Businesses should contact a hauler who can handle commercially-generated organic waste.

What can I bring to the compost collection sites?
Accepted materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, non-greasy food scraps (rice, pasta, bread, cereal etc.), coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, egg and nut shells, pits, cut or dried flowers, houseplants and potting soil. [Please NO meat, chicken, fish, greasy food scraps, fat, oil, dairy, dog or cat waste, kitty litter, coal or charcoal, coconuts, diseased and/or insect-infested houseplants/soil or biodegradable/compostable plastics.]

How should I store my food scraps?
Food scraps can be collected in large yogurt containers or other covered plastic containers, plastic bags, milk cartons or in commercially-available compost pails. To reduce odors at home and at the Greenmarket, store items in the freezer or refrigerator.  A layer of shredded newspaper at the bottom of your storage container also helps.

How can I learn to compost at home?
Visit www.nyc.gov/wasteless/compost to find workshops and guides for setting up a worm composting bin in your apartment or managing an outdoor compost bin for your home or garden.

Special thanks to our pilot partners for making this effort possible: City Council Speaker Christine C. Quinn and the New York City Council and Action Carting Environmental Services.  

Continued thanks to our ongoing community composting partners at the Lower East Side Ecology Center, Ft. Greene Compost Project and the Western Queens Compost Initiative.