30 Cubic Yards of Compost Made from 37 Tons of Food Scraps Collected Citywide
(L-R): Yonkers City Council President Lakisha Collins Bellamy; Yonkers Department of Public Works Commissioner Thomas Meier; Yonkers City Councilmember Tasha Diaz; Yonkers Mayor Mike Spano; Yonkers Department of Public Works Deputy Commissioner Jason Baker. Photo by Maurice Mercado/City of Yonkers
Mayor Mike Spano today joined Yonkers Department of Public Works (DPW) Commissioner Thomas Meier to announce the City’s annual compost distribution for residents. Starting today, 30 cubic yards of free compost is available to residents at the Yonkers Recycling Center, located at 735 Saw Mill River Road.
“The City of Yonkers continues to be a leader in sustainability,” said Mayor Spano. “By recycling our food scraps that create useful and earth-friendly compost, we are creating a cleaner, greener, more sustainable Yonkers. I encourage residents to stop by the Recycling Center for compost and use it for your spring plantings.”
The compost is a product of the City of Yonkers Department of Public Works residential food scrap recycling program, which collected more than 37 tons of food scraps this season. Residents are encouraged to bring a bucket to fill with the free compost. Proof of residency is required. Starting today, compost will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, while supplies last, Mondays – Saturdays, 7:30AM – 4:15PM at the Yonkers Recycling Center.
The City of Yonkers launched its successful home food scrap recycling program in 2022, offering residents household food scrap recycling kits for use in storing and dropping off food scraps at the Yonkers Recycling Center. The City has since expanded the food scrap program to include curbside collection for more than 250 households and is continuing to build the program citywide.
“Through our composting program, we are removing food and yard waste from the solid waste stream and reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise be disposed of through trash incineration,” said Yonkers Public Works Commissioner Tom Meier. “I encourage residents to take part in food scrap recycling to help protect our environment, save taxpayer dollars and receive the benefit of free, high quality compost that builds healthy soil and resiliency.”
Westchester County Executive Ken Jenkins said, “Congratulations to the City of Yonkers on the continued success of its food waste recycling program. Since joining the County’s Residential Food Scrap Transportation and Disposal program (RFSTAD), Yonkers has worked closely with residents to build awareness and increase participation. This compost giveaway event is the culmination of those efforts.”
Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said, “The County’s RFSTAD program makes it affordable for municipalities to offer food waste recycling to their residents. The City of Yonkers has taken advantage of this opportunity and built a model program that continues to grow and deliver results. The City of Yonkers and its residents should take pride in their leadership and commitment to reducing waste.”
Food Scrap Collection Kits ($20) are available for purchase by Yonkers residents at the Yonkers Recycling Center, at 735 Saw Mill River Road, Mondays – Saturdays, 7:30am-4:15pm.
For information on the City’s Food Scrap Recycling program, visit www.yonkersny.gov/foodscraps.
