Composting and Organics Recycling for Municipalities
Funding for Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives Now Accepting Applications. Learn more about the funding opportunity.
Local Solid Waste Management Plan
State and federal law gives localities the responsibility for planning and implementing materials management strategies. Each municipality and county in New York State is required to be part of a solid waste management planning unit (most planning units are single counties) who are responsible for developing and implementing their local solid waste management plan. Organics management should play a key role in managing organic materials within the boundaries of the planning unit. Planning units can
- Manage an organics recycling facility (composting, anaerobic digestion, land application, etc.)
- Develop food scraps drop-off program
- Provide residential organics collection
- Host home composting workshops
- Host backyard composting bin sales
- Provide outreach and education material on reducing wasted food at home and home composting
Starting and Managing an Organics Recycling Facility
Municipalities across New York State manage organic materials such as yard trimmings, food scraps, biosolids, etc. via composting, land application and anaerobic digestion.
Organics Recycling Facilities & Regulations
Tools for Municipalities
- The 'How to Build a Municipal Food Waste Strategy' toolkit (leaves DEC's website) developed by the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute is a free, interactive toolkit that municipalities can use to design, implement, and manage food waste programs at the local level.
Funding Opportunities
NEW! - DEC Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives
The goal of this funding program is to assist municipalities in starting or expanding municipal food scraps recycling programs. To ensure equitable access and development of food scraps recycling opportunities for all New Yorkers, this year's opportunity will prioritize the first half of available funds for eligible projects serving Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged communities.
Approximately $2 million is available for funding of Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives. The first $1,000,000 will prioritize eligible projects that dedicate at least 50% of the total requested funding to serving environmental justice communities.
The following types of projects are included in this opportunity:
- Creating or expanding programs to increase residential food scraps recycling
- Creating or expanding food scraps recycling programs and facilities
Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis from May 2, 2022 3:00PM EST to May 3, 2024 3:00PM EST. All projects will be evaluated by DEC for eligibility in the order in which they are received (first-in, first-out).
To view Grant Opportunity Webpage (read full Request for Application, Q&A Document and Instructions for Applying):
- Visit the Grants Gateway Opportunity Portal
- Click 'Search Now'
- Search By Grant Opportunity - Enter: Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives
- Click 'Search'
- Click 'Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives - 2021'
| Important Municipal Grant Program Dates & Times | |
|---|---|
| Dates & Times | |
| Application Opens in Grants Gateway | May 2, 2022 3:00 PM EST |
| Informational Webinar on Using Grants Gateway | May 11, 2022 1:00 PM EST - Recording Coming Soon |
| Q&A Period |
Ongoing - updated weekly on Wednesdays. You can view the Q&A document on this grant's specific grant opportunity webpage on Grants Gateway, see instructions above.
|
| Application Submitted End Date | May 3, 2024 3:00 PM EST, unless DEC withdraws the RFA or funds are exhausted |
DEC Climate Smart Communities Grant Program - Accepting Applications!
The Climate Smart Communities (CSC) Grant program provides 50/50 matching grants to cities, towns, villages and counties of New York State and boroughs of New York City for eligible climate adaption and mitigation projects.
The Climate Smart Communities Grant program is now accepting applications. The deadline for the 2022 round is 4:00 p.m. on July 29, 2022.
DEC Municipal Waste Reduction and Recycling (MWRR) State Assistance Program
The MWRR program is a state assistance program for waste reduction, recycling and household hazardous waste (HHW). Funding is provided on a 50% reimbursement rate for eligible costs. Organics management projects are eligible under this state assistance program.
- Grants for Recycling Coordination and Education Projects: Awarded on an annual basis. Applications accepted August, September and October of each year.
- Grants for Waste Reduction/Prevention Projects: Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
- Grants for Recycling Capital Projects (equipment and facilities): Applications accepted on an ongoing basis.
NYS P2I Food Waste Reduction and Diversion Reimbursement Program
The Food Waste Reduction & Diversion Reimbursement Program (leaving DEC website) program is available to New York State businesses or not-fot-profits that generate, haul or recycle large amounts of food waste to offset the cost of selected technologies and equipment that promise to reduce or divert that food waste from landfill or incineration. Learn more and apply today.
NYS P2I Community Grants Program
Funding available for community organizations, municipal departments, and other public sector and not-for-profit entities for projects that raise awareness and understanding of pollution prevention practices and lead to implementation at the local level. Learn more and apply today.
Note: The application deadline is 5 p.m. EDT on April 15, 2022.
DEC Municipal Funding for Food Scraps Reduction, Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling - Awardees Announced
The goal of this funding program was to assist municipalities in creating and expanding programs to reduce wasted food, donate wholesome food and recycle food scraps (composting, anaerobic digestion, etc.)
Municipal Food Scraps Reduction, Food Donation and Food Scraps Recycling Awards (PDF)
Note: This funding opportunity is currently closed.
Celebrate New York State Compost Awareness Week
New York State joins the international community in celebrating Compost Awareness Week each year in early May. We want to thank everyone for celebrating NYS Compost Awareness Week this past May 1 - 7, 2022.
Email organicrecycling@dec.ny.gov if you are interested in connecting with other compost educators or community organizers on 2023 NYS Compost Awareness Week or receiving the Compost Awareness Week Outreach Toolkit. Learn more about NYS Compost Awareness Week.
Stay Connected
Solid Waste & Recycling Newsletter
Sign up for DECDelivers Solid Waste and Recycling topic to stay up to date with news, regulatory requirements and changes, funding opportunities, and upcoming events in the materials management industry.
Annual Conferences
- November 3 - 4, 2021: Virtual NYSAR3 Annual Recycling Pre-Conference in partnership with National Recycling Congress
- November 9 - 10, 2021: NYSAR3 Annual Recycling Conference
- January 24 - 27, 2022: Compost2022 - Austin, TX
- April 5 - 6, 2022: NYS Organics Summit - Albany, NY
Professional Materials Management Organizations
- New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling (NYSAR3) (leaves DEC website) is a professional organization of materials management professionals dedicated to providing statewide leadership on waste reduction, reuse and recycling issues and practices to improve the environment. The Organics Council, a subgroup of NYSAR3, are committed to reducing wasted food, recovering edible food and diverting food scraps, yard trimmings, manure, and other organic materials from the waste stream through sustainable materials management strategies. They meet regularly through teleconference to share news and resources, plan workshops, conferences and much more.
- New York Solid Waste Association of North America - NY (SWANA-NY) (leaves DEC website) is an organization of solid waste professionals committed to environmental stewardship and the advancement of sustainable environmental technology.
- New York State Association for Solid Waste Management (NYSASWM) (leaves DEC website) is an organization of NYS solid waste professionals addressing issues that affect solid waste management in New York State as well as issues at the federal level.
- United States Composting Council (USCC) (leaves DEC website) is a national organization of compost manufacturers, compost marketers, equipment manufacturers, academic institutions, public agencies, nonprofit groups, and consulting/engineering firms dedicated to the development, expansion and promotion of the composting industry.
