Organics Recycling, Composting & Food Scraps Collection

Organics refers to both yard trimmings and food scraps.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation places a high priority on managing these materials through reduction, reuse, and recycling, including composting.

ecopark Compost Give Back

Ever wondered how Monroe County makes compost and where you can get some, any time of the year? Watch this video to find out! 

Yard Waste

Yard waste includes leaves, grass clippings, hedge trimmings and garden debris. Uncontaminated yard waste is banned from Monroe County landfills, but once yard waste enters a garbage truck and is mixed with household garbage, it is considered contaminated. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation estimates yard waste comprises, on average, five percent of garbage. A 2010 characterization study of items disposed by Monroe County residents found that 17 percent of local garbage was yard material that could have been recycled. Many local municipalities have seasonal programs (such as Christmas Tree Recycling) that handle certain yard waste diverting it from the landfill and providing a valuable resource.

In Monroe County, 12 towns, 2 villages, and 1 school district own and operate yard waste composting facilities. In most cases, the final compost product is made available for use by local residents or used on local municipal projects. Monroe County owns and operates 2 yard waste composting facilities and all Monroe County residents have access to free compost at the ecopark during regular operating hours. 

Currently the City of Rochester, all 10 villages in the County, and 14 of the 19 towns in the County provide curbside yard waste collection services to their residents. Visit the links below or contact your municipality for instructions on when and how to place yard waste at the curb for collection (bagged, in container, loose piles etc.).

Food Scraps Collection Pilot Program

Illustration of Food ScrapsA pilot food scraps recycling program involving the Monroe County Jail, Monroe Community Hospital and residents of the Town of Pittsford will begin in September, 2023.

View Flyer (PNG)

Under the pilot, food scraps and organic kitchen waste at the Monroe County Jail and Monroe Community Hospital will be collected separately from other waste, then collected by Livingston County-based organics collection company Natural Upcycling. Natural Upcycling processes the scraps in an anerobic digester at Noblehurst Farms and the resulting gas will be used to generate electricity, which will be used at the farm and sold back to the grid.

The Town of Pittsford is partnering with the county to offer the service to 500 first-come, first-served program participants, who will be provided with lidded buckets to contain food waste as well as educational materials. Households will be able to drop off their food scraps in a dedicated collection area at the Town of Pittsford Dog Park, 34 East Street.

Registration for Town of Pittsford residents is available on the town’s website:

Town of Pittsford Registration

The pilot food scraps collection program is funded by Monroe County, with additional funding provided by a New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Municipal Food Scraps Recycling Initiatives grant.

Natural Upcycling was selected following the County’s purchasing procedures. The company is already working with other municipalities on similar pilots, including the City of Buffalo and the City of Canandaigua. The pilot program is expected to run for 12 months beginning in mid-September 2023.

Click here for a presentation on the development of the Pittsford Food Scraps pilot program.

OPush lawn mower mowing grassrganics Recycling Tips

Residents can handle yard and food waste responsibly by:

Grasscycling

Residents can recycle grass by cutting it frequently and leaving it on the lawn.  This technique is called grasscycling. Research shows that grass can be beneficial to a lawn’s fertility and general health by leaving it on the lawn to act as a fertilizer after mowing. Grasscycling can be done using an existing mower. For optimum results, the mower blade should be sharp and the grass cut when dry.

Two pine trees, one with Christmas lights litChristmas Tree Recycling

Many municipalities offer pick up and drop off services for Christmas trees after the holidays.  Trees are ground into woodchips, diverting valuable materials from the landfill for landscaping use by municipalities and residents.

Please remember to remove all decorations, plastic bags, wires and nails from trees to avoid damage to processing equipment.  Where chipping is available, residents should check with their municipality for giveback programs.

Backyard Composting

Composting is nature’s way of breaking down plant materials and recycling them into a valuable product. It is a simple and useful way to reuse your leaves, grass, vegetable and fruit scraps which also helps to:

  • save landfill space
  • conserve water
  • reduce the need for fertilizers by returning nutrients to the soil
  • grow healthier plants

Composting Info/Resources

Composting Collection/Drop-off Services

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