Nyenta.com - City of New Rochelle Launches New Food Scraps Recycling Program

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New Initiative Aims to Reduce Solid Waste and Promote Sustainability

As part of its ongoing commitment to reducing food waste sent to landfills and promoting sustainability, the City of New Rochelle is proud to introduce its new drop-off Food Scrap Recycling Program. This initiative removes food scraps from the solid waste stream and offers residents a convenient way to recycle, contributing to a healthier environment. This program is supported by Westchester County DEF's Residential Food Scrap Transportation & Disposal (RFSTAD) program. At the program launch held Monday, September 23, City, state and local officials and senior staff were joined by first grade students from Ms. Jacqueline Contreras' and Ms. Patricia Tavera's classes at Jefferson Elementary School, who learned about food scraps recycling from STEAM coordinator Ms. Lucia Brea.

County Executive George Latimer said: "My administration has been steadfast in expanding our food scrap recycling program's influence and our recycling efforts County-wide. The City of New Rochelle joins the ranks of other local municipalities wanting to provide its residents with an additional way they can recycle and make an environmental impact. I am incredibly proud of the work our Department of Environmental Facilities are doing to expand programs like RFSTAD, and I am proud of the local municipalities stepping up to reduce their waste in a unique way."

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DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said: "We are all thrilled to have another municipality join our RFSTAD program, reinforcing my Department's commitment to implementing recycling programs to reduce waste and protect the environment. With the participation of a large municipality like the City of New Rochelle, food scrap recycling will now be an option for many more County residents."

Residents can drop off food scraps at two designated locations in New Rochelle:
Pinebrook Tennis Courts Parking Lot – 1-99 Albert Leonard Place
Outside D'Onofrio Park – Emmett Terrace

Both drop-off sites are open daily from 6 AM to 8 PM. Accepted materials include fruits and vegetables, meats, poultry, fish and shellfish, dairy products, bread, pasta, rice, grains, egg shells, and leftover, spoiled and expired food. Items not accepted include plastic bags, baby/hand wipes, pet waste. A full list of acceptable and not accepted items is available at newrochelleny.com/foodscraps.

"We are excited to bring this program to our residents. Not only does it reflect our commitment to environmental sustainability but it also strengthens our community's role in reducing waste and conserving resources. By turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, we're fostering a greener, more resilient City and County," said Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert.

"This local recycling program offers our residents the opportunity to make a real difference- diverting waste from landfills, and reducing greenhouse gasses- right in their own kitchens. Together we can make a big impact and contribute to a more sustainable future," said New Rochelle Councilmember Sara Kaye.

Acting City Manager and Public Works Commissioner Wilfredo Melendez said, "We would like to extend our appreciation to the County for facilitating our food scraps pickup program. This initiative makes it easier for our community to reduce waste and demonstrates a strong commitment to meaningful steps forward in environmental stewardship." The launch was coordinated by the City's departments of Public Works, Development, and Parks and Recreation.

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To start the food scrap recycling process at home, residents can purchase a Starter Kit from the Department of Public Works. Each kit contains:
-A countertop pail – to collect food scraps in the kitchen
-A storage and transportation bin – to store food scraps until drop-off
-Compostable bags – to line the pail and bin for easy collection

Kits and compostable bags are available for purchase at the DPW office at City Hall, 515 North Avenue, starting Monday, September 23. Kits are $20 and compostable bags are $3 per roll.

Why Recycle Food Scraps?

Food scraps are a major component of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. However, these scraps are not trash—they are valuable resources that can be turned into nutrient-rich compost. Recycling food scraps helps return vital nutrients to the soil, reduces the environmental impact of waste, and supports sustainability efforts in New Rochelle.

As a special incentive, the City of New Rochelle will be giving away two kits each week. Residents interested in participating drawing can fill out the request form and learn more about the food scraps recycling program at newrochelleny.com/foodscraps. Residents can also reach out to Sanitation and Recycling at 914-235-4654 with any questions.

To inaugurate the food scraps drop-off site at Pinebrook Tennis Facility, stay tuned for a special sustainability event next month: "Earth Day's Half Birthday" Fall Festival. This educational, informational and family-friendly event will feature live demos and a wide array of community partners and vendors sharing information on how we can reduce energy consumption and costs, reduce our carbon footprint, and protect our local ecosystems. Food scraps collection kits will be raffled on site. More information to follow.

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