Queens composters get funding boost after NYC halts curbside pickup

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The Department of Sanitation announced additional funding to help get the city’s compost efforts back on track, but many independent collections never stopped. Eagle file photo

The Department of Sanitation announced additional funding to help get the city’s compost efforts back on track, but many independent collections never stopped. Eagle file photo

By Rachel Vick

Some of Queens’ nonprofit composting projects have received a modest cash infusion from the city following the cost-cutting decision to halt curbside organics collection.

A $2.8 million allocation in the latest city budget will allow a handful of organizations to pick up some material and divert food waste and yard scraps from landfills and back into our parks and gardens.

In the coming weeks, partners across the city like the Queens Botanical Gardens, Big Reuse and GrowNYC will be able to facilitate local collections, which were scaled back when COVID-19 increased budget restrictions.

Until the city’s program is back to business as usual, here are five independently operating spots you can still bring your scraps to. Remember – no meat, dairy or bones.

Queens County Farm Museum - Glen Oaks

The farm’s tumblers —  devices used to mix the waste and speed up the transformation from trash to treasure –  are located next to the Apiary, and drop offs are accepted daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

JH Scraps - Jackson Heights

This compost site on 35th Avenue on 69th Street reopened in July, and welcomes drop-offs from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Saturday rain or shine. If you want to get your hands dirty while promoting a greener queens, you can volunteer with the site, run by the Jackson Heights Beautification group. 

St. James Compost - Elmhurst

You can find the bin outside the St. James Church daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and open hours from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the first and third Sundays until November.

Hellgate Farm - Long Island City

This local farm and CSA has taken on extra responsibility through the pandemic by opening their compost program up to the public. Due to the increased volume of organic waste passing through their gates, the team — who hand process the drop-offs – are asking for donations based on your level of need to create a sustainable program in western Queens.

Astoria Pug - Astoria 

This team, led by master composter Rocky the Pug, rotates five locations around the neighborhood for you to take advantage of; Fern Botanica, Astoria Park near Hoyt and 21st Avenue, Ditmars #2 Municipal Field, 38th Street and 30th Avenue, and Broadway and 31st Street Like other independent compost programs, donations are welcome to facilitate collections.