NYCWasteLe$$ - Fall 2008 Compost Givebacks

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NYC Department of Sanitation
compost pile image Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling
Fall 2008 Compost Givebacks

Last chance to get free compost
Get free compost and discounted compost bins
When and Where

Event mailer (pdf, 523KB)

Last chance to get free compost

Since Fall Leaf Composting Collections are suspended, we will not have the raw material to create more compost. The 2008 Compost Givebacks may be the last Givebacks until sometime in the future after (and if) leaf composting collections are restored. So, please come and take all you want while supplies last!

Get free compost and discounted compost bins

NYC residents (sorry, no businesses) can receive unlimited amounts of free, high-quality compost (a natural soil enhancer). The compost is made from leaves that DSNY collects from City residents each fall.

Bring a shovel and sturdy containers to take away compost. If you want your pickup truck filled, bring a tarp to cover the compost for transport. Only vehicles registered to NYC addresses can pick up compost. No commercial vehicles allowed.

Compost is a crumbly, earthy material that looks and feels like soil. Adding compost to backyards, gardens, and parks improves soil quality, increases plant growth, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers and watering. For info on how to use compost, check out “using your compost” on the NYC Compost Project website.

NYC residents can also purchase discounted compost bins for $20 to make their own compost.

Compost is an ideal soil amendment when planting new trees. Get involved with MillionTreesNYC and help plant and care for one million trees across the city's five boroughs.

compost bin image

See when and where info for the compost givebacks.

Compost Givebacks When & Where (rain or shine)

The compost givebacks and discounted compost bin sales will be held at the NYC Department of Sanitation compost sites:

BRONX - Soundview Composting Site: Saturday & Sunday, Oct 4 & 5, 2008
STATEN ISLAND - Fresh Kills Composting Site: Saturday & Sunday, Oct 18 & 19, 2008
Still No Compost Givebacks in Brooklyn

Soundview Composting Site
(at the end of Randall Ave.
close to the Bruckner Expressway in the Bronx )

map of soundview park compost site

Saturday & Sunday
October 4 & 5, 2008
8am to 2pm
rain or shine

Discounted compost bins available for purchase for $20

Driving from the Bruckner Expressway: Take the Bruckner Expressway (East) to Exit 51 (Bronx River Parkway North/White Plains) • take Service Road (Bruckner Blvd.) • go past shopping center and past Bronx River Parkway • turn RIGHT onto Soundview Ave. • stay on Soundview to 5th traffic light • turn RIGHT onto Randall Ave. • stay on Randall to the end, follow signs for composting site.

Driving from the Bronx River Parkway (southbound): Take Exit 1 (Story Ave.) • at light, turn LEFT onto Story • go to 2nd traffic light, turn RIGHT onto Soundview Ave. • stay on Soundview to 4th traffic light • turn RIGHT onto Randall Ave. • stay on Randall to the end, follow signs for composting site.

Public transit info:
NYC.gov or hopstop

Fresh Kills Composting Site
(off of West Service Rd. near exit 7 of Rt. 440 on Staten Island)

map of fresh kills compost site

Saturday & Sunday
October 18 & 19, 2008
8am to 2pm
rain or shine

Discounted compost bins available for purchase for $20

Driving from I-278 (West): Take Exit 5 (SR 440-West Shore Expressway) towards Rt. 440/Outerbridge Crossing • take Rt. 440 South to Exit 7 (Victory Blvd) • at light, go straight (road becomes West Service Rd.) • go past car dealership on right • stop at entrance to the landfill across from the New York Sports Club • once inside the landfill, follow signs to the composting site.

Public transit info:
NYC.gov or hopstop

Unfortunately, still no Compost Givebacks in Brooklyn

At present, DSNY doesn’t have an operating compost site in Queens or Brooklyn, so we are unable to provide more convenient giveback locations for residents in these boroughs.

DSNY is awaiting final approval from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to operate the Spring Creek Compost Site, located near the Brooklyn/Queens border by the Gateway mall.

DSNY currently has only two permitted compost sites (Fresh Kills on Staten Island and Soundview in the Bronx). To keep composting programs operational, DSNY needs additional sites. To address this problem, NYC’s Solid Waste Management Plan created the Compost Siting Task Force comprised of representatives appointed by the Mayor, the five Borough Presidents, and City Council.

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