Bronx News: NYC Organics Update
Curbside Collection Beginning in Bronx CB’s 10 and 11 this Week; Brown Bins Delivered to Bronx CB’s 8 and 12 Starting Next Week
The New York City Department of Sanitation is continuing expansion of its NYC Organics program – the largest curbside collection program of food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste in the nation. Today, the Department begins collecting material from residents living in Eastchester Bay, Edgewater, Bronxdale and Morris Park in the Bronx – community boards 10 and 11. Additionally, the Department will soon begin to distribute brown NYC Organics collection bins to residents in Riverdale, Fieldston, Baychester, Eastchester and Woodlawn in the Bronx – community boards 8 and 12. Curbside collection will begin in those areas the week of September 4.
This is a part of Department’s ongoing expansion of the NYC Organics program. The program, which collects “organic” waste and turns it into usable compost or renewable energy, is now available to more than two million city residents. The Department of Sanitation is working to make the program available to all New Yorkers by the end of 2018, with either curbside service or convenient neighborhood drop-off sites.
“Organic material – food scraps, food-soiled paper and yard waste – make up about a third of what we throw away, but it’s not trash,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “Putting your food scraps and yard waste to good use decreases the amount of garbage going to landfills and helps create a greener and healthier New York City. We thank all of the residents currently participating in organic waste collection, and look forward to welcoming millions more New Yorkers to the program this year.”
How does it work?
All eligible households, those in buildings with nine or fewer units, will receive a starter kit which includes an indoor kitchen container, an instruction brochure, and either their own outdoor brown bin or a larger one to share for the building. Residents place food scraps and food-soiled paper products into their kitchen container. Residents then transfer the material to their outdoor bin for DSNY collection on their pick up day. Yard waste may be placed directly in the bin, or placed at the curb in open, unlined containers or in paper lawn and leaf bags.
Who is included?
All single-family homes and buildings with nine or fewer residential units are automatically enrolled in the voluntary program. Residential buildings with 10 or more units may apply to participate. Building managers may find more information on the application process at http://on.nyc.gov/request-organics.
What happens to the material?
The collected material is managed locally and regionally. Some organic waste is turned into compost, and used locally by greening groups, such as urban farmers, community gardeners, and street tree stewards to rebuild the City’s soil.
Other options for food scraps:
Residents who do not currently receive curbside collection may visit food scrap drop-off sites offered throughout all five boroughs. To help bring the program to all residents by the end of 2018, the drop off locations will be expanded this year. For more information, visit nyc.gov/organics.
About the New York City Department of Sanitation
The Department of Sanitation (DSNY) keeps New York City healthy, safe and clean by collecting, recycling and disposing of waste, cleaning streets and vacant lots, and clearing snow and ice. The Department operates 59 district garages and manages a fleet of more than 2,000 rear-loading collection trucks, 450 mechanical brooms and 689 salt/sand spreaders. The Department clears litter, snow and ice from approximately 6,500 miles of City streets and removes debris from vacant lots as well as abandoned vehicles from City streets.
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