YONKERS FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING

PROGRAM

CHECK OUT THE YONKERS FOOD SCRAP RECYCLING GUIDE NOW!

¡CONSULTE LA GUÍA DE RECICLAJE DE DESECHOS DE ALIMENTOS DE YONKERS AHORA!

REGISTER HERE FOR YOUR FREE BAG OF COMPOST! 

Starter Kits

Starter kits can be purchased at the Yonkers Recycling Center - 735 Saw Mill River Road for $20 plus tax (check or credit card). Kits include:

• One 1.9 gallon countertop pail 
• One 6-gallon home storage and transportation bin
• One roll of 25 compostable bags for your pail 

Yonkers Food Scrap Recycling Program

The City of Yonkers Food Scrap Recycling Program will provide residents the opportunity to reduce waste by composting unused food scraps. Residents will be able to bring their food scraps to a designated drop-off site where they will be collected by the Department of Public Works and turned into compost.

Why Recycle Food Scraps?

Food scraps are one of the largest components of trash sent to landfills and incinerators.  In a landfill, food scraps create methane, which is a potent greenhouse gas that traps CO2 and contributes to global warming.  When sent to an incinerator, food scraps reduce the efficiency of the incinerator because they contain water and therefore don't burn well. Instead of wasting energy trying to burn food, or creating methane from landfilling it, composting food scraps produces a useful and valuable product that gives back to our nutrient life cycle resulting in cleaner soil, water and air.

What is Compost?

Compost is a soil amendment which enriches our soil. Compost benefits our landscape by maximizing plant growth, preventing soil erosion and mitigating the frequency of water, fertilizer and pesticide use. By recycling your food scraps you are reducing waste and creating nutrient-rich compost.

How Does it Work?

   

LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO RECYCLE FOOD SCRAPS!

Here’s How To Do It:

1. Collect your food scraps in a countertop bin.  Although not required, you may line your bin with a compostable bag - please no plastic bags.

    

2. Most residents will fill the countertop bin with food scraps 3-4 times per week. Therefore, it is suggested that residents also have a larger bin to transfer food scraps into for weekly storage. This larger bin can also be used for transportation of food scraps to the Recycling Center or other drop-off site. Any bin that holds around 5-6 gallons and has a lid will work. It is recommended that food storage bins be kept indoors – either in the house or in the garage.

    

3. Bring your transportation bin to the Yonkers Recycling Center to dispose of your food scraps as often as needed. Additional food scrap drop-off sites may be made available.

ALL FOOD, including:

• Fruits and Vegetables (Remove stickers, bands & ties)
• Meat and Poultry (Boned permitted)
• Fish and Shellfish (Shells permitted)
• Dairy Products
• Bread and Pasta
• Rice and Grains
• Egg Shells
• Chips and Snacks
• Nuts and Seeds
• Leftover, Spoiled and Expired Food (Cooked)
• Coffee Grounds (Paper filters are ok)
• Tea Bags (No staples)
• Paper towels and Napkins
• Cut Flowers
• Compostable bags (NO plastic bags)

Items Not Accepted:

• Plastic bags*
• Plastic packaging/wrappers*
• Baby/Hand wipes*
• Pet waste

* These items are nonbiodegradable. Therefore, they will contaminate the compost.

 If you are unsure about an item, please contact the Yonkers Recycling Center:

 YONKERS RECYCLING CENTER

735 Saw Mill River Road

(914) 377-6752