New Yorkers really are scrappy. The city Sanitation Department is expanding its food scraps and yard waste collection to almost 1 million residents — making it the largest in the country, the Daily News has learned.
Officials said putting items like fruit, eggshells, flowers and food-soiled paper towels in special collection bins instead of the trash is better for the environment and saves money.
The pilot program — mandated by a 2013 law passed by the City Council — exists in Carroll Gardens, Throggs Neck, Port Richmond and other neighborhoods across the five boroughs.
Officials are set to announce on Monday that organic waste pickup is being expanded to Little Neck and Douglaston in Queens starting Dec. 5.
“Organic materials make up about a third of our trash,” said Sanitation Commissioner Kathryn Garcia. “When you recycle your food and yard waste, you decrease the amount of garbage going to landfills and help create a greener and healthier New York City.”
The city spends about $300 million a year to export trash to landfills in other states. Removing organics from those garbage loads could save roughly $100 million a year, according to the agency.
Some of the waste is turned into compost for use in local community gardens and for street trees.
To read the full story, visit http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/city-sanitation-department-expanding-organic-waste-pickup-program-article-1.2871526.