The Department of Sanitation in New York City has recently formed a partnership with a Manhattan real estate firm to offer organic matter and food waste collection to an apartment building on the city’s West Side. This will be the first multi-resident dwelling to be provided with such a service. The food scraps collected from the building will be composted.

The Helena residence building has six hundred units and the organic material will be collected five days a week. The collection focuses of food waste as well as plant material. Plastics that are labeled biodegradable or compostable will not be allowed as will animal wastes, liquids, and foams.

As compostable food waste and organic material comprise close to a third of the residential waste stream, the new recycling and composting program provides the residents and owners of the apartment building with an opportunity to reduce waste disposal fees by diverting waste away from landfills. The city, through its composting program, will then have additional landscaping materials in the form of nutrient-rich compost, to enhance and support trees and plants around the city.

WasteCare Wants You to Remember: Food and organic waste collection is the hottest topic when it comes to diverting waste from landfills and reducing your trash disposal fees.  What is your business or municipality doing to incorporate food waste recycling into your waste plan? It’s a great way to save green while “going green”!