Have you seen these funny looking garbage cans on the street lately? 

image via Scott Lynch @ gothamist.com

They’re part of the NYC’s Organics Recycling program that just recently spread its pilot throughout additional NYC neighborhoods. If you’re lucky enough to be in a piloted area, the program gives you a starter kit that includes a brown organics bin and a small kitchen container. Collection is once a week with your normal recycling days. If you live in a neighborhood that isn’t currently part of the pilot, you can still dispose of organic waste at one of the cities many drop-off sites. 

Why should you participate? For one, we city slickers generate a lot of waste. In 2004-05, the city conducted a waste characterization study and found that almost 30% of stuff we throw out can be processed and re-purposed to be used in local gardens and farms. Think of that—30% of material that would normally be destined for a landfill can have a productive role in the natural environment. That’s a lot! Second, compost is really healthy. It’s rich in long-lasting nutrients and microorganisms that plants love and that chemical fertilizers fail at holding on to. This healthy composition also helps soil retain moisture, which means less watering. Finally, participating in one of NYC’s composting programs gives you a fancy badge of honor that puts you in a special group of urban environmentalists. Share that with all of your friends and watch them swoon. 

KCC Urban Farm has its own composting program with scraps coming from Farm leftovers, as well as waste from Kingsborough’s Culinary Arts program. While plans for a larger, campus- and community-wide composting program hasn’t gotten off the ground yet, it remains a significant point in our long-term goals for the Farm. We’re excited to see the city moving in this direction.