New York Turns Food Waste Into 6 Million Pounds of Compost
New York Turns Food Scraps Into Millions of Pounds of Compost
NEW YORK — At the Staten Island Compost Facility, garbage is being transformed into something that keeps the city’s gardens, parks, and schools thriving.
“We’re making this awesome compost that we can use throughout the city and improve soil health,” said Jennifer McDonnell, Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management at the New York City Department of Sanitation.
The facility, run by Denali Water Solutions, has long processed landscaper waste, but now it also takes in food scraps and other organic materials from homes. Each day, it handles between 100 and 150 tons of waste, with volumes climbing to 250 tons during the peak leaf-fall season.
Once collected, the waste is shredded, screened, and placed into large aerated bunkers where the composting process begins. The piles heat up to more than 100°F (37.8°C), hot enough to kill harmful bacteria and weed seeds. Over several weeks, fungi, bacteria, and insects break the material down. After curing and final screening, the end product is a dark, nutrient-rich compost.
Some of this compost is sold to landscapers, but most is distributed free to New Yorkers, including schools and community gardens. “We’ve given out, we think, almost 6 million pounds of compost to the residents of New York City this year,” McDonnell said.
Experts say the benefits go far beyond healthier soil. The compost helps manage stormwater, supports urban green spaces, and reduces methane emissions by keeping food waste out of landfills. According to the Natural Resources Defense Council, food scraps and yard waste make up the largest portion of household trash nationwide.
“If we want to take a bite out of the climate crisis, we’ve got to get our food scraps out of landfills and into composting,” said Eric Goldstein, New York City Environment Director at the council.
New York’s organics collection program requires residents to separate food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard waste from other trash. While enforcement of the rule was paused earlier this year, officials say it will resume in 2026.
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