ECI Community Composting Program

Why: ECI hopes to close the loop on food waste while empowering community members, schools, and local businesses. The Community Composting Program diverts food waste from the landfill and into home gardens as nutrient-rich compost. Closing the loop on food waste is imperative in building healthy soil, and creating resilient, local food systems while fighting climate change.

What: A list of accepted food waste items is available here. 

How: Collect food waste daily in your ECI compost pail and deliver it weekly (optional curbside pickup service available) to the Good Ground Heritage Garden composting site (homebound elderly: please contact us to arrange for free curbside pickup service). Drop-off days are Tuesday through Thursday during daylight hours. You will be responsible for cleaning out your pail to eliminate any smells and residue. A scale and log book will be on location to weigh and record your scraps at every drop-off. ECI staff will track your waste reduction each month earning you compost to share with our charity garden or for your own personal use! Your participation in this important project will help reduce the harmful gases released into the environment contributing to climate change.

When: The Community Composting Program - Spring Season begins March 15th, 2023 and will conclude May 31st, 2023. New participants will be contacted regarding an introduction to the program, an instructional demonstration, and your pail!

Where: The Good Ground Heritage Garden at the St. Joseph Villa, 81 Lynn Avenue, Hampton Bays.

Price: $40 includes a 6-gallon galvanized pail for collecting and transporting food scraps. Optional: for an additional $20, we will provide curbside pickup service in Hampton Bays and East Quogue (free for homebound participants). Program participants will be offered 4 gallons of the finished “black gold” (compost) at the end of the 3-month composting season. Returning participants will have the option of renewing for $30 fee per composting season, or for the annual price of $90. All participants must be ECI Members ($5 per month or $50 per calendar year). 

Payment can be made online via Donorbox or via check payable to “Ecological Culture Initiative” and mailed along with the application to Ecological Culture Initiative, Attn: Community Composting Project, P.O. Box 1035, Hampton Bays, NY 11946.

https://eciny.org/community-composting-program