Composting

NYC Compost Project in Queens
“Composting where people, plants, and cultures meet.”

Composting is the process of creating the ideal conditions for the rapid decomposition of organic materials, such as leaves, vegetable, and fruit peels. Once organic materials are decomposed, compost, a dark crumbly material that looks and feels like soil, remains.

The New York City Compost Project at Queens Botanical Garden works to educate Queens and the rest of New York City on the many benefits of composting, which include bringing nutrients back to our city soils, reducing solid waste and sanitation costs, and creating a sustainable and healthy environment. The Compost Project teaches and promotes composting to adults, families, gardeners, and teachers through public workshops, teacher training, exhibitions, tabling at community events, answering helpline calls, sustaining a compost demonstration garden, and selling compost bins. We also work with landscapers and other professionals, such as ground maintainers at housing sites, hospitals, and universities.

In 1993, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) created the NYC Compost Project, which established compost programs at the City’s four botanical gardens. Today, DSNY’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling (BWPRR) funds and manages compost projects in all five boroughs and also maintains a comprehensive website on composting.

Established in 1994, the NYC Compost Project in Queens operates under QBG’s Education Department. Current information and services include the following:

Compost 101
Learn how to compost your leaves, kitchen scraps, garden clippings, and other select organic material by following these easy instructions. For an in-depth look, see the Art & Science of Composting.

QBG director of education Patty Kleinberg explains how to care for your lawn, naturally.
Compost Demonstration Garden
See the latest commercially available composting systems in action, including the Earth Machine (available to NYC residents for $55, tax included). The Compost Demonstration Garden also features other composting bins such as a 3-bin system, a compost bench, and other bins suitable for backyards in Queens.

The Earth Machine can be purchased by city residents by appointment only.

Teacher Training
Be the first in your school to have a worm bin in the classroom! NYC Teacher “Wormshop”: Worm Composting for the Classroom is open to New York City schoolteachers grades K to 12 that are interested in establishing composting at their school. NYC Compost Project at QBG offers teacher trainings for worm bin composting periodically throughout the year. Check the QBG calendar for upcoming teacher workshops.

NYC Compost Givebacks and Bin Sales
Check here for the latest information on where and when to get free unlimited amounts of compost and purchase bins for $55 (tax included).

Compost Dan leads a Build-a-Bench workshop.
Compost Workshops
Learn more by attending our hands-on and lecture-style workshops. Workshops topics range from both outfoor and indoor composting as well as natural lawn care.

Master Composter Certificate Program
Become an expert! Learn how composting benefits backyards and gardens, as well as fits into New York City’s waste management plans. This comprehensive training program has a community service component.

Compost Resources
See our listing of worms suppliers, compost-related books, compost websites, and other resources.

Compost Helpline
Contact the NYC Compost Project in Queens staff by e-mail or phone 718.539.LAWN(5296) with your questions.

Earth knows no desolation.
She smells regeneration in the moist breath of decay.
~ George Meredith