Funding Request
We’re asking the City Council to advocate for and ensure that community composting is funded in FY27. NYC Community Compost Network requests $9,075,000, which includes $6,775,000 of program support and $2,300,000 for construction of a compost site.
Community composting is not the same as curbside composting. It is a proven, community solution that reduces waste, builds local leaders, and delivers environmental benefits directly to NYC neighborhoods. Sustained funding ensures these programs continue to grow and serve all New Yorkers.
What This Funding Supports
With this funding, the Network delivers essential, community-based programs citywide:
- Outreach & Education – Culturally relevant, multilingual programming that increases participation in composting across communities
- Master Composter Certificate Program – Trains New Yorkers as educators, leaders, and composting stewards
- Technical Assistance & Infrastructure – Provides tools, training, and support to build and sustain local composting systems
- Food Scrap Collection – Accessible neighborhood drop-off sites, especially for residents without reliable curbside access
- Local Composting & Processing – Transforms food scraps and horticultural waste into compost locally, keeping resources in NYC and acting as demonstration sites for education.
- Compost Distribution – Provides free compost to community gardens, urban farms, and residents
- Soil & Green Infrastructure Support – Improves soils in parks, street tree beds, and public spaces, strengthening climate resilience
Why This Funding Matters
- Essential to NYC’s zero waste goals – Increases organics diversion and complements curbside collection
- Ensures equitable access – Expands composting opportunities to underserved communities where there lacks curbside services
- Builds community and leadership – Strengthens neighborhood networks and creates a citywide culture of stewardship
- Creates green jobs and workforce pathways – Supports internships, training, and employment in the green economy
- Improves climate resilience – Healthy soils absorb stormwater, reduce flooding, and support urban ecosystems
- Creates a local circular economy – Food scraps are turned into compost and returned to the same communities—reducing reliance on export-based systems
How you can help:
- Call your City Council Member and let them know why community composting is important to you—find yours here.
- Sign the Save Our Compost petition.
The NYC Community Compost Network includes:
Astoria Pug
Big Reuse
BK Rot
Brooklyin Botanic Garden
The Brotherhood Sister Sol
Cafeteria Culture
Compost Power
Earth Matter
East New York Farms!
GreenFeen Organix
LES Ecology Center
NYBG Bronx Green Up
Queens Botanical Garden
Red Hook Initiative
Snug Harbor
www.nyccommunitycompostnetwork.org