New York’s solid and waste management began to convert the rough ingredients of waste into slightly surprising valuable, “black gold” to “improve health”.
“We make this great compost that we can use in the city and improve the health of the soil,” said Jennifer McDonnell, deputy commissioner for permanent waste management at the New York City Department of Sanitation.
In the States Island Compost facility, managed by Denali Water Solutions, has long been processed landscape architecture – but it is now also treating organic waste. On an average day the facility gets 100 to 150 tonnes of organic material and goes up to 250 tons when the leaf fall is heavy.
Upon arrival, the waste is fragmented, screened and transferred to aerated static pile bunkers where composting starts. The piles heat up to more than 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.8 ° C), hot enough to kill pathogens and weed seeds.
In the course of a few weeks, fungi, bacteria and insects break down the material. After curing and screening, the end product is a dark, nutrient -rich compost.
The city sells some landscape architecture and distributes the rest to residents, schools and communal gardens for free.
“We spent it, we think, almost 6 million pounds compost for the residents of New York City this year,” said McDonnell. The compost helps to improve the health of the soil, manage rainwater and keep the city of green spaces.
National, food residues and site waste are the largest share of household waste, according to the National Resources Defense Council. When they are sent to landfills, they generate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas.
“If we want to take a bite from the climate crisis, we have to get our food residues out of the landfills and compost,” said Eric Goldstein, director of the New York City at the council.
The City Organics Collection Program requires that all residents separate food residues, food -sunken paper and garden waste from waste. Although enforcement was paused earlier this year, it is expected to resume in 2026.
