Residential food scraps collection services and community food scraps drop-off spots are popping up across the state. Both are a great way to compost your food scraps locally if you can’t at home. Residential food scraps collection services collect food scraps at your curb while community food scraps drop-off spots allow you to drop your food scraps off at a designated location and time, such as your local farmers market or community garden. In return, the compost from these programs is used to build local healthy soils. Find a food scraps drop-off spot or residential food scraps collection service near you.

Apply Now for Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program

The New York State Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) is currently accepting applications from NYS businesses municipalities, and not-for-profit organizations that divert food waste from landfills or incinerators. These grants are available though the Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program.

The Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program offers a reimbursement of up to 44 percent  (in most cases not to exceed $100,000) of eligible equipment costs upon fulfillment of the program requirements. Eligible equipment includes purchases that will divert excess food and food scraps (food waste) from landfill or incineration. Diversion includes prevention, donation and recycling.

Eligible applicants are municipalities, NYS registered businesses, and/or not-for-profit organizations that produce, haul or recycle more than 1 ton of excess food or food scraps per week. Food waste recyclers and food waste haulers are also eligible to apply.

For additional information on technical assistance, visit NYSPI’s website.

NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling Law – Upcoming Webinar!

On September 16, 2020 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., DEC will be hosting a free webinar providing updates on the NYS Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling law. They will be joined by NYS Pollution Prevention Institute (NYSP2I) who will provide an overview of their services and give an exciting announcement on upcoming available funding for organics diversion. Register for the September 16th webinar.

Effective January 1, 2022, businesses that generate more than two tons of wasted food and food scraps per week or more must donate their excess edible food and recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of a food scraps recycler (composter, anaerobic digester, etc.).

To get the latest announcements, sign up to receive NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling law announcements. Please contact FoodScrapsLaw@dec.ny.gov with any questions.