Free Compost This Weekend

Don't forget the NYC Compost Project's compost giveaway this weekend at the Fresh Kills Compost Facility on Staten Island.

For specific info please see the calendar at right.

Apparently this is the last opportunity for free compost until the city budget changes for the better. Separate leaf removal by the DSNY has been suspended for budgetary reasons. Without the leaves there simply is no reason to do bulk composting in NYC according to the DSNY. This is a sad moment for us, not unlike the previous suspension of recycling. Leaves will now be collected with the regular trash.

NYC Compost Give Back Dates Announced

The NYC Compost Project announces it Fall 2008 Compost Give Back.
Save the dates:

Soundview Facility (Bronx) October 4th & 5th -8 am - 2 pm

Fresh Kills Facility (Staten Island) October 18th & 19th -8 am - 2pm

There are still no give backs at the Spring Creek facility (Queens/Brooklyn)

From the DSNY:
Unfortunately, Still No Compost Givebacks in Brooklyn

At present, DSNY doesn’t have an operating compost site in Queens or Brooklyn, so we are unable to provide more convenient giveback locations for residents in these boroughs.
DSNY is awaiting final approval from the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation for a permit to operate the Spring Creek Compost Site, located near the Brooklyn/Queens border by the Gateway mall.
DSNY currently has only two permitted compost sites (Fresh Kills on Staten Island and Soundview in the Bronx). To keep composting programs operational, DSNY needs additional sites. To address this problem, NYC’s Solid Waste Management Plan created the Compost Siting Task Force comprised of representatives appointed by the Mayor, the five Borough Presidents, and City Council.

Of course you may go to the other facilities, but for the gas and tolls.

NYC Closes Sprink Creek Composting Facility

It is hard for me to believe that NYC could close Brooklyn and Queens only compost facility - Spring Creek. Not only is composting an important waste reduction activity, it has been a great boon to gardeners across the boroughs of this city. I have been going to Spring Creek for a few years now to supply my garden with fresh and FREE compost. As much as I can cart away. This was a busy place on the giveaway weekends. The facility was well staffed with DSNY employees directing cars in and out of the facility and helpful with directions should drivers feel disoriented. To be sure, this is not an area many people often go. Spring Creek is on the north side of the Belt Parkway, NW of JFK airport. But it’s easy to get to (I take Linden Blvd., aka Route 27, the whole way) and no problem once there.  

Apparently the DSNY has not been able to renew their operating permit. I do not know why this is the case. They say they are searching for new facilities. Meanwhile, there are two other sites to pick up fresh compost this fall, at the Fresh Kills Facility on Staten Island and at the Sound View Facility in the Bronx.