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DEC Highlights Benefits of Composting During New York
State Compost Awareness Week
Published: May 06, 2025 at
06:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from NYS DEC
DEC Highlights Benefits of Composting During New York
State Compost Awareness Week
New Yorkers Encouraged to Explore Composting in their
Communities
DEC Launching Food Scrap Composting Pilot at
Wilmington Notch and Meadowbrook Campgrounds
The New York
State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is celebrating New
York State Compost Awareness Week through May 10, in support of statewide
efforts encouraging local communities to explore the benefits of
composting. The 2025 New York State Compost Awareness Week theme is
“Sustainable Communities Begin with Compost,” which highlights composting
opportunities, including backyard home composting, local composting
programs, and large-scale commercial facilities.
“Composting is
something all New Yorkers can do to support building sustainable
communities and reduce the impacts of solid waste on landfills,” Acting
DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said. “DEC is thrilled to join our
partners statewide to celebrate New York State Compost Awareness Week and
encourages everyone to explore the benefits of composting. From diverting
food scraps for recycling and providing financial assistance to communities
and organizations for composting programs, DEC is committed to ongoing
efforts to increase composting and prevent emissions that contribute to
climate change.”
New York State’s
Nation-Leading Efforts to Reduce Food Waste
Composting
organic materials such as yard trimmings and food scraps provides many benefits, including reducing the amount
of waste that ends up in landfills or combustion facilities. Reducing the
amount of organic waste sent to landfills reduces the production of
methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
New York is a
national leader on environmental issues, including advancing comprehensive
waste management efforts to address the impacts of solid waste on climate
change and increasing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices among
New Yorkers. Among the many efforts underway, DEC continues to implement
the New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law to
help reduce waste and climate-altering emissions caused by landfilling
while providing quality food to New Yorkers in need. Through a partnership
with Feeding New York State, the program successfully diverts tens of
millions of pounds of food away from landfills. In February 2025, the
program reached a record 43.5 million pounds of food donated since
launching in 2022.
DEC previously
awarded nearly $7.25 million to municipalities dedicated to organics
management. Funds for organics management-related projects have also been
distributed through DEC’s Climate Smart Communities grant program, as well
as the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling program. DEC offered two
grant programs in 2024, each providing $1.25 million for Municipal Food
Scraps Recycling Initiatives and Local Emergency Food Relief
Equipment. Additionally, DEC previously awarded more than $3.25 million
to emergency food relief organizations.
Food Scrap
Composting Pilot to Launch at DEC Campgrounds
In May, DEC will
be launching a food scrap composting pilot program at two campgrounds
— Wilmington Notch and Meadowbrook in Essex County — when the facilities
open for the season. The pilot program will empower New Yorkers to be more
sustainable when enjoying the beauty of the Adirondacks this summer.
Information gathered during the pilot will be used to inform the expansion
of composting to more DEC facilities.
Composting
Resources
Individuals,
organizations, and local governments interested in connecting with other
compost educators or community organizers during 2025 NYS Compost Awareness
Week or who would like to receive the Compost Awareness Week Outreach
Toolkit are encouraged to contact DEC’s Bureau of Waste Reduction and
Recycling at organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov.
DEC will be
rolling out additional programs to increase composting across the State
later this year. For more information about how all New Yorkers can help
compost and take other steps to reduce food waste at homes and businesses,
visit DEC’s website.
For more
information on New York’s Compost Awareness Week, visit the New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse, and
Recycling.
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