By the Bronxville Green Committee

Dec. 8, 2021: The Village of Bronxville is proud to officially announce the launch of the new residential Food Scrap Recycling Program! Sign Up for the program and purchase your kit on Friday, December 10^th or Saturday, December 11^th from 10AM-2PM in the main lobby of Village Hall.

This is a voluntary program offered to Bronxville Village residents. Kits will also be available from Village Hall on an ongoing basis. Kits are $25 payable by cash or check to the order of The Village of Bronxville.

What is Food Scrap Recycling? 

Food Scrap Recycling is an easy and environmentally friendly way to dispose of banana peels, apple cores and all other food scraps while reducing our environmental impact -- making it one of the most effective steps we can take towards sustainable living! 

By recycling our food scraps, we return vital nutrients to the earth, helping to complete a natural cycle in which decaying organic material is transformed into compost that fosters new plant growth. Food Scrap Recycling also reduces pollution and costs associated with sending food scraps as trash to landfills or incineration facilities.

More than 22 municipalities in Westchester, including our neighbors Tuckahoe, Eastchester, Scarsdale, and Rye, have already implemented this proven program! Check out this video for information on What, How and Why. Scarsdale Food Scrap Recycling Program - What, How, Why - YouTube

How does it work?

All food scraps are accepted, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, bones, shells, dairy, bread, rice, pasta, raw and cooked food, as well as cut flowers, napkins, paper towels and wax paper. This program accepts many more items than backyard composting allows. The material is then brought to a commercial compost facility in Cortland and turned into soil.

Village Hall will provide starter kits that contain everything you need to participate -- a countertop pail, transfer bin, and compostable liner bags. The kit will be sold to residents for the “at cost” price of $25. You don’t have to buy a kit; but you may find it more convenient. If you use your own bins and liner bags, make sure the liner bags are certified compostable. Biodegradable bags are not accepted. Look for the BPI certified compostable logo.

Once you have the kit, it’s as easy as 1-2-3! Just COLLECT your food scraps, STORE & TRANSFER in a secure transfer bin and DROP OFF behind Village Hall for commercial composting.

How do I get started? 

Sign Up for the program and purchase your kit on Friday, December 10^th or Saturday, December 11^th from 10AM-2PM in the main lobby of Village Hall.

This is a voluntary program offered to Bronxville Village residents. Kits will also be available from Village Hall on an ongoing basis. Kits are $25 payable by cash or check to the order of The Village of Bronxville.

Is the process difficult, time consuming, or smelly?

Not at all! We understand that the idea of adding one more thing to your daily routine can sound overwhelming, but this turn-key program has proven easy and effective in other Westchester communities.    

It is NOT messy, stinky, or a vermin hot spot! The provided bins trap leaks and smells and have secure locks. 

Why is it important to our community?

Benefits to our community include:

-Identifies food scraps as a valuable resource, not waste, and allows them to be turned into useful compost.

-Reduces (significantly!) the amount of trash we send for incineration in Peekskill.

-Improves the efficiency of the Peekskill incineration facility; food scraps consist largely of water and don’t burn well.

-Creates food waste awareness, often prompting families to buy only what they need and to waste less.  We waste 40% of the food produced in this country—a shocking number that this program will help reduce.

-Utilizes Westchester county subsidies that pay for hauling, making this a cost neutral—and, over time, a money saving—program for Bronxville.

For more FAQs, please visit the food scrap recycling center on our website.

The Bronxville Green Committee is a volunteer organization that is part of the Village of Bronxville. We work to propose and implement environmentally sustainable programs in our community. Visit our website to learn more. Please consider joining our efforts!