Reuters•1 day ago•

NYC Turns Food Waste into 'Black Gold': How the Big Apple is Getting Green

ENVIRONMENT

compost

recycling

wastemanagement

sustainability

newyorkcity

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Summary:

NYC is turning food waste into valuable compost, called "black gold."
The Staten Island Compost Facility processes 100-250 tons of organic material daily.
The compost improves soil health, manages stormwater, and reduces methane emissions.
6 million pounds of compost have been distributed this year to residents, schools, and community gardens.
NYC's organics collection program, with mandatory food scrap separation, will resume enforcement in 2026.

NYC's Ingenious Solution: Turning Food Waste into Compost

New York City is transforming millions of pounds of food waste – from watermelon rinds to pizza boxes – into valuable compost, dubbed "black gold." This initiative, spearheaded by the Department of Sanitation and managed by Denali Water Solutions at the Staten Island Compost Facility, is a significant step towards environmental sustainability.

The Process

The facility processes 100-150 tons of organic material daily, rising to 250 tons during peak leaf fall. The process involves shredding, screening, and aerated composting, reaching temperatures high enough to eliminate pathogens and weed seeds. After several weeks, the resulting compost is rich in nutrients.

Benefits and Impact

Approximately 6 million pounds of compost have been distributed this year to residents, schools, and community gardens, improving soil health and managing stormwater. This initiative helps reduce methane emissions from landfills, a significant contributor to climate change. The city also sells some compost to landscapers.

The Future of NYC's Organics Collection

New York City's organics collection program mandates that residents separate food scraps and yard waste from regular trash. While enforcement was temporarily paused, it's set to resume in 2026.

This program highlights NYC's commitment to sustainable waste management and its efforts in mitigating climate change. The conversion of waste into a valuable resource is an innovative approach to a pressing environmental concern.

Source: Reuters