Compost at the Greenmarket

Residents are encouraged to drop off their household compost scraps at local greenmarkets. On the Upper West Side, bring any food scraps to the 79th Street Greenmarket, at West 79th Street and Columbus Avenue, on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Here are some frequently asked questions: What happens to food scraps dropped off at Greenmarket? Your household food scraps will be transported to one of several NYC compost sites to be transformed into a fertile soil amendment for use on local urban farming and gardening projects. What can I bring to the compost collection sites? Accepted materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, non-greasy food scraps (rice, pasta, bread, cereal etc.), coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, egg and nut shells, pits, cut or dried flowers, houseplants and potting soil. [Please NO meat, chicken, fish, greasy food scraps, fat, oil, dairy, animal waste, litter or bedding, coal or charcoal, coconuts, diseased and/or insect-infested houseplants/soil or biodegradable/compostable plastics.] How should I store my food scraps? Food scraps can be collected in large yogurt containers or other covered plastic containers, plastic bags, milk cartons or in commercially-available compost pails. To reduce odors at home and at the Greenmarket, store items in the freezer or refrigerator. A layer of shredded newspaper at the bottom of your storage container also helps.