Compost
In 2008, a Waste
Characterization Report found that 59% of waste generated by
the NYU community is compostable. Since then, composting initiatives have
been established to reduce NYU's environmental footprint and to ensure that recycling food waste is simple and easy for all students.
We believe NYU is now the largest institutional composter in Manhattan at least, doing several tons per week from a dozen dining halls—but we need your participation.
What can I compost?
- All food (including meat and dairy)
- Coffee grounds, filters, and tea bags
- Food-soiled paper (napkins and plates)
- Compostable cups and silverware
Do NOT compost:
- Plastic bags
- Liquids
- Plastic packaging
In both the consumption and food preparation areas, compost bins are being phased into select locations on campus:
- Kimmel Center Market Place
- Hayden Dining Hall
- Rubin Dining Hall
- Third North Courtyard Café
- Downstein Dining Hall
- U-Hall Commons Café
NYU School of Law Composting
Compost collection is available on each floor of Mercer Street and D’Agostino Residence Halls.
NYU is also piloting compost collection for special events in academic buildings. Students and faculty should place all compostable materials in these bins.
Carlyle Residence Hall Compost Tumbler (click to expand)
Quite simply, by composting, you can help your environment. The organic
waste you put back into the environment can be made use of by other living
things. It also allows you to recycle things that might have otherwise
polluted a landfill or created toxic smoke in a garbage burning facility.
- Trash sits in a landfill and doesn't break down. Composting breaks organic waste down into a usable form of fertilizer.
- Biodegradable waste in a landfill breaks down to form methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while composting allows the waste to break down naturally, releasing only CO2 (a less potent gas).
- The methane produced from landfilling compostable materials results in 27 times as much greenhouse gasses as compared to composting these materials.
Action Carting
takes the compost collected to McEnroe Organic Farm in
Millerton, NY.
There, the collected compost is broken down into natural fertilizer and returned to the environment to contribute naturally to the food system.
If you live in a building that does not offer compost collection, you can still do your part by dropping off food waste to a local Green Market that will compost it locally. Freeze compost between market visits to prevent any smells or pest problems.
The EPA Compost Guide offers a helpful resource for learning about other composting initiatives nationwide.
Please do not hesitate to contact Client Services Center at contactcsc@nyu.edu with any questions you may have.