The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) celebrated New York State Compost Awareness Week through May 10, in support of statewide efforts encouraging local communities to explore the benefits of composting. The 2025 New York State Compost Awareness Week theme was 鈥淪ustainable Communities Begin with Compost,鈥� which highlighted composting opportunities, including backyard home composting, local composting programs, and large-scale commercial facilities.
鈥淐omposting is something all New Yorkers can do to support building sustainable communities and reduce the impacts of solid waste on landfills,鈥� Acting DEC Commissioner Amanda Lefton said.聽鈥淒EC is thrilled to join our partners statewide to celebrate New York State Compost Awareness Week and encourages everyone to explore the benefits of composting. From diverting food scraps for recycling and providing financial assistance to communities and organizations for composting programs, DEC is committed to ongoing efforts to increase composting and prevent emissions that contribute to climate change.鈥�
Composting organic materials such as yard trimmings and food scraps聽provides many benefits, including reducing the amount of waste that ends up in landfills or combustion facilities. Reducing the amount of organic waste sent to landfills reduces the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
New York is a national leader on environmental issues, including advancing comprehensive waste management efforts to address the impacts of solid waste on climate change and increasing waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices among New Yorkers. Among the many efforts underway, DEC continues to implement the聽New York State Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Law to help reduce waste and climate-altering emissions caused by landfilling while providing quality food to New Yorkers in need. Through a partnership with Feeding New York State, the program successfully diverts tens of millions of pounds of food away from landfills. In February 2025, the program reached a record 43.5 million pounds of food donated since launching in 2022.
DEC previously awarded nearly $7.25 million to municipalities dedicated to organics management. Funds for organics management-related projects have also been distributed through DEC鈥檚 Climate Smart Communities grant program, as well as the Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling program. DEC offered two grant programs in 2024, each providing $1.25 million for Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives and Local Emergency Food Relief Equipment.聽Additionally, DEC previously awarded more than $3.25 million to emergency food relief organizations.
In May, DEC will be launching a food scrap composting pilot program at two campgrounds 鈥斅燱ilmington Notch and聽Meadowbrook in Essex County 鈥� when the facilities open for the season. The pilot program will empower New Yorkers to be more sustainable when enjoying the beauty of the Adirondacks this summer. Information gathered during the pilot will be used to inform the expansion of composting to more DEC facilities.
DEC will be rolling out additional programs to increase composting across the State later this year.