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Overview
Overview
Why: From Waste to Resource
Why: From Waste to Resource
Food scraps make up approximately 40% of household trash. Every week, Irvington residents throw away materials rich in nutrients that can be transformed into compost for gardens, farms, landscapes, and healthy soils. Compost supports biodiversity, stores carbon, filters water for our watershed, and helps protect against erosion. Communities around the world are increasingly investing in compost as they work to restore depleted soils and build resilience in a changing climate.
Food scraps collection also benefits our air, water, and climate. Westchester County received a Grade F for ozone pollution from the American Lung Association. While regional pollution sources all contribute to that rating, the Peekskill waste incinerator remains Westchester's largest industrial source of air pollution and emits more than 1.7 million pounds of nitrogen oxides annually—one of the chemicals that contributes to ground-level ozone pollution. Food scraps that are sent to the incinerator contribute to greenhouse gas emissions that affect all of us. Keeping food scraps out of the trash reduces the volume of material being burned while putting these valuable resources to better use. Sending food scraps down the disposal can also contribute to clogged pipes and increases the costs of treating wastewater.
Irvington residents have demonstrated a strong commitment to food scraps collection for more than eight years. Our year-round drop-off program has grown steadily, collecting 58.5 tons of food scraps in 2022 alone. Today, 165 residents bring their food scraps to the Farmers Market collection site and another 70 households subscribe to Hudson Compost's private curbside collection service. The program depends on approximately fifteen volunteer hours each week and continues to grow through community participation and education.
Curbside Food Scraps Collection Program Launch
Curbside Food Scraps Collection Program Launch
Beginning Jaunary 8th, the Village of Irvington is launching a pilot curbside "Food Scraps to Compost" Collection Program for single family homes (unfortunately, multi-family residences cannot be accommodated at this time).
This exciting new initiative will make it easier than ever for residents to prevent food waste from being burned, instead transforming them into nutrient-rich compost that rebuilds healthy soils. Compost improves water retention, reduces erosion, supports biodiversity, stores carbon, and helps protect our watershed—benefits that are becoming increasingly important as our region experiences heavier rainfall and more extreme weather.Beginning in January, the Village will launch an opt-in curbside food scraps collection program.
Residents who already separate food scraps consistently report that it significantly reduces the volume, weight, and odor of their regular garbage. Moving food scraps from the garbage into separate sealed containers has been shown to reduce rat sightings.
The program is part of Irvington's Board of Trustees-approved Organics Management Plan, which embraces the simple principles of Prevent, Donate, and Divert: reduce wasted food whenever possible, donate edible surplus food to help feed people, and compost what remains. The Plan establishes goals to reduce municipal solid waste, expand food scraps collection, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and continue the community education efforts that have made Irvington's programs so successful.
Click here to see County Guidance on what is accepted
Click here to see County Guidance on what is accepted
Three Steps (8.5 x 8.5 in).mp4NEW ADVICE: Limit BPI Bag Usage
Excessive BPI bags can slow the composting process
If it is necessary to use a BPI compostable bag for transportation, bags should be ripped open prior to inclusion inthe food waste bin
Paper bags are a great alternative
Food Scraps Collection Tips
Food Scraps Collection Tips
Drain liquids and strain soups and sauces before placing food scraps in your bin. Cool and squeeze excess water from tea bags and coffee filters.
Use food-soiled paper towels, napkins, newspaper or a paper bag to absorb excess moisture.
Keep meat, fish, bones and other especially fragrant scraps in your refrigerator or freezer until drop-off or curbside collection. Wrapping them in newspaper can also help.
Change your countertop compost bag every three to four days. Rinse and dry the bin before adding a new bag.
Store outdoor bins in full or partial shade, especially during hot weather.
Line your cart with newspaper or an accepted paper or compostable bag to make cleanup easier.
Put your cart at the curb every Thursday evening, even if it is not full.
Keep These Items Out
Keep These Items Out
Do not include plastic bags, biodegradable bags that are not certified compostable, rubber bands, twist ties, wires, diapers, tissues or pet waste. Only food scraps and accepted paper products belong in the compost stream.
Whenever possible, choose reusable dishes and flatware. They are the most economical and environmentally friendly option. Use compostable serviceware only when disposables are truly necessary.
Food Scrap Drop Off Program
Food Scrap Drop Off Program
Since 2018, the Village of Irvington has participated in Greenburgh’s food scrap recycling program through an all-volunteer effort.
Where Can I Take My Food Scraps?
Where Can I Take My Food Scraps?
The Farmers Market at Main Street School. Please see the Irvington Farmer’s Market page for current schedule details.
Irvington Green Team volunteers will collect the food scraps in large bins which are then transported to a commercial composting facility to be converted into nutrient-rich compost.
Get Your Compost Storage Kit
Complete compost storage kits (kitchen counter caddie, roll of plant-based liner bags, and a larger locking bulk transporter) are available for $20 at the Irvington Green table during Farmers Market hours (please bring cash or check).
More Drop Off Sites
More Drop Off Sites
If you cannot bring your food scraps to the Irvington Farmers Market, here is a list of locations and hours of other drop off sites.
CompostED
CompostED
The County recently started construction on CompostED, the Department of Environmental Facility’s new Compost and Education Facility in Valhalla. CompostED will be a small scale compost demonstration facility, offering educational tours and classes on the benefits of composting and for municipalities on incorporating food scraps in municipal yard waste composting activities. The facility is slated to open in Spring 2021.
DEF and the County also recommend that residents compost at home when they are able. The County sells compost bins and rain barrels at wholesale cost. Next sale will be April 24, please contact PLM9@WestchesterGov.com for details.
Food Scraps Collection Study
Food Scraps Collection Study
As seen in the Rivertowns Dispatch, June 21, 2024
With a $25,000 grant from the Hudson River Valley Greenway in tow, seven villages have taken a step towards implementing a curbside food scrap collection program.
As of June 18, the Ardsley, Dobbs Ferry, Elmsford, Hastings, Irvington, Tarrytown, and Sleepy Hollow boards of trustees had passed resolutions agreeing to fund a study about collecting residents’ food scraps for composting.
The study, conducted by civil engineering firm VHB, is expected to cost $100,000, with each village chipping in equal amounts to pay the $75,000 not covered by the grant. The villages also plan to split the cost of implementing the collection program.
“We figured as small communities it would not be terribly efficient if we each went off in our own direction and did our own thing,” Irvington Village Administrator Larry Schopfer said. “It would make some sense if there’s some ability to cooperate and collaborate on this.”
Irvington is acting as the lead agency for the program by collecting the grant money and overseeing the contract with VHB. Once the study is done, the villages will look into the next steps recommended by the firm. The actual collection would likely not begin before the end of 2024, according to Schopfer.
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