By the Bronxville Green Committee

April 27, 2022: Join the Bronxville Green Committee and our Village DPW on April 30^th between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for Bronxville’s first Compost Give-Back Day! Bring your own bucket and shovel and pick up FREE compost (while supplies last!) at the food scrap drop-off site on Palumbo Place behind Village Hall (enter Palumbo Place from Midland Avenue).  Rain date is Sunday, May 1, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Our local government is offering this organically rich soil amendment to all Village residents to make your springtime planting more fun and rewarding. Compost is the soil that results when the food scraps collected in the Village’s residential Food Scrap Recycling program are composted at a commercial facility.  You don’t need to participate in the Food Scrap Recycling program to pick up compost, but please stop by and speak to our volunteers to learn how you can make a daily positive impact that addresses one of our most pressing environmental challenges. Volunteers will be available to answer questions and to sell a Starter Kit to anyone who’s ready to join.

What is Food Scrap Recycling? 

Food Scrap Recycling is an easy and environmentally friendly way to dispose of banana peels, apple cores and all other food scraps while reducing our environmental impact -- making it one of the most effective steps we can take towards sustainable living. 

By recycling our food scraps, we return vital nutrients to the earth, helping to complete a natural cycle in which decaying organic material is transformed into compost that fosters new plant growth. Food Scrap Recycling also reduces pollution and costs associated with sending food scraps as trash to landfills or incineration facilities.

More than 22 municipalities in Westchester--including our neighbors Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Scarsdale, and most recently Yonkers--have also implemented this proven program. Check out this video for information on What, How and Why. Scarsdale Food Scrap Recycling Program - What, How, Why - YouTube

How does it work?

All food scraps are accepted, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, shells, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, raw and cooked food, as well as cut flowers, coffee grounds (and filters), food-soiled napkins and paper towels. This program accepts many more items than backyard composting allows.

The Village offers starter kits that contain everything you need to participate -- a countertop pail, transfer bin, and compostable liner bags. The kit is sold to residents for the “at cost” price of $25. You don’t have to buy a kit, but you may find it more convenient. If you use your own bins and liner bags, make sure the liner bags are certified compostable. Biodegradable bags are not accepted. Look for the BPI certified compostable logo.

Once you have the kit, it’s as easy as 1-2-3! Just COLLECT your food scraps, STORE & TRANSFER in a secure transfer bin and DROP OFF once a week behind Village Hall for commercial composting.

How do I get started? 

Learn more about the program HERE.  Starter kits can be purchased at Village Hall during their regular business hours.  Or come to Palumbo Place on April 30 between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., collect your free compost, and sign up for the Food Scrap Recycling program. 

Bring the whole family—this is a kid friendly event! Remember to bring your own bucket and a shovel; we will not be providing them.  We ask that you limit the size of your bucket to ensure that everyone who wants compost will get some.  And consider coming early!

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community. Visit our website to learn more and join our efforts.

 Photo by Greta Hoffman, Pexels

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