In New York City, watermelon rinds, greasy pizza boxes, and yard trimmings don’t end up in the landfill — they are transformed into something valuable: nutrient-rich compost often called “black gold.”
The Staten Island Compost Facility, run by Denali Water Solutions, is at the heart of this transformation. Once focused only on landscaper waste, the site now processes residential organics as well. Each day, between 100 and 150 tons of material arrive, with volumes rising to 250 tons during peak leaf season.
Once delivered, the waste is shredded, screened, and placed in aerated static pile bunkers where temperatures climb above 100°F (37.8°C) — high enough to kill pathogens and weed seeds. Over several weeks, microbes, fungi, and insects break everything down into dark, rich compost. After curing and screening, the finished product is ready for use.
Some of this compost is sold to landscapers, but much of it is given away to residents, schools, and community gardens for free. “We’ve distributed nearly 6 million pounds of compost to New Yorkers this year,” said Jennifer McDonnell, Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management at the Department of Sanitation. The program helps improve soil health, manage stormwater, and keep city green spaces vibrant.
Nationwide, food scraps and yard clippings are the largest part of household trash. When they end up in landfills, they release methane — a powerful greenhouse gas. “If we want to take a bite out of the climate crisis, we’ve got to get our food scraps out of landfills and into composting,” said Eric Goldstein, New York City Environment Director at the Natural Resources Defense Council.
New York’s organics collection program requires residents to separate food scraps, soiled paper, and yard waste from regular trash. Although enforcement was paused earlier this year, the city plans to resume it in 2026.
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Photo by Nareeta Martin on Unsplash
News sourced from: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/climate-energy/how-new-york-turns-millions-pounds-food-waste-into-black-gold-2025-09-11/