Mamaroneck, Larchmont Celebrate 6 Months Of Food Waste Recycling

MAMARONECK, NY — In the six months since the kickoff of the Food Waste Recycling program in Mamaroneck and Larchmont, hundreds of residents have shown their commitment to the environment by redirecting food waste from their trash to become valuable compost. According to Town Supervisor Nancy Seligson the voluntary food waste recycling program has gotten off to a flying start.

“Clearly our community is dedicated to sustainable living,” she said. “Together, we are taking small steps that have a big impact on the health of our environment. We look forward to many more residents joining in.”

Food waste is one of the largest components of our total waste, making up about 30 percent of trash in the United States. Recycling food waste into compost captures nutrients that can enrich soil, while reducing methane gases produced by landfills and decreasing the energy wasted by incinerating food, which has a high moisture content and doesn’t burn well.

Larchmont Village Mayor Lorraine Walsh noted that, undeterred by the weather, “drop offs into the collection bins continued steadily throughout the winter months.”

In fact, food waste collection more than quadrupled during the first 90 days of the program. Town Administrator Steve Altieri estimates that ,since the program kicked off in September, about 20 tons of food waste have been diverted to a commercial composting site upstate.

Unlike backyard composting, municipal composting accepts meat, fish, bones, dairy, bread, rice, fats, paper towels and napkins. Residents can purchase compact containers and compostable bags for convenient storage and transport of their food waste to the Maxwell Avenue collection site, located just a few blocks from the shops and restaurants in the business area of Larchmont Village. Food waste collection bins were also available at the Larchmont Farmers’ Market throughout the fall months.

The Town of Mamaroneck and the Village of Larchmont have been recognized as leaders in promoting environmentally responsible programs, according to a spokesperson. In 2017 the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation certified the Town of Mamaroneck as a Climate Smart Community. Many of the town’s environmental initiatives have been fueled by the volunteer driven Sustainability Collaborative. In May 2017, the Collaborative received a Westchester County “2017 Earth Day Recognition Award” for efforts related to educating residents on waste reductionand recycling. The Village of Larchmont implemented reusable shopping bag legislation in 2013.

For more information about participating in the Food Waste Recycling program, see the Larchmont Mamaroneck Sanitation Commission website and FAQs on Food Waste Composting.

Photo credit: Submitted.