To enhance its recycling efforts and promote eco-friendly practices, Mayor Mike Spano, alongside Yonkers Department of Public Works Commissioner Thomas Meier, announced the launch of the city’s expanding recycling initiative, featuring backyard composting bins for residents. This new program, unveiled on November 3, underscores the city’s commitment to reducing waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Mayor Mike Spano expressed his support for the program. During the launch event he stated, “my family composts in our yard, and I encourage other households to do the same […] Let’s continue to be leaders in creating a cleaner, greener, more sustainable Yonkers.”
The backyard composting bins can be used for a variety of organic materials. This includes cardboard, leaves, grass clippings, annual plants, wood ashes, vegetable and fruit peelings, and coffee grounds. Compost produced through this method can be ready in two to six months. Once ready, the compost acts as a soil supplement or mulch.
Food scrap collection
Yonkers has been proactive in its recycling efforts. For example, the City successfully launched a home food scrap recycling program in 2022. This program offers residents food scrap recycling kits for storing and dropping off food scraps at the Yonkers Recycling Center. The city has also piloted a curbside food scrap collection program. Since May of this year, DPW has diverted nearly 8 tons of food scraps from the solid waste stream.
Yonkers Public Works Commissioner Tom Meier emphasized the importance of these programs.
Through our composting program, we are removing food and yard waste from the solid waste stream and reducing the amount of waste that would otherwise be disposed of through trash incineration. I encourage residents to take part in food scrap recycling and backyard composting to help protect our environment, save taxpayer dollars, and receive the benefit of free, high-quality compost that builds healthy soil and resiliency.
Residents interested in participating in these programs can purchase Food Scrap Collection Kits for $20 and Backyard Compost Bins for $15. Both are available at the Yonkers Recycling Center, Center, located at 735 Saw Mill River Road, Monday through Saturday, from 7:30 am to 4:15 pm. As part of the launch, a limited supply of Backyard Composters will be available for free.
For more information on the these programs, please visit www.yonkersny.gov/backyardcompost and www.yonkersny.gov/foodscraps.
