Public Food Scrap Drop-Off Sites (FSDOs)

The NYC Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden’s goal is to ensure composting is accessible to the public by teaming with the community to host public food scrap drop-off sites (FSDO).

Who can be a Public Food Scrap Drop-off Site?

FSDO sites vary widely. Some of our past successful host sites include gardens, community compost sites, community centers, and libraries.

Interested in becoming a public food scrap drop off site? Email [email protected]

Want to participate in your community’s FSDO site?

• Does your organization/community hub have space to host a bin once a week but no one to staff it?
• Are you/your community group interested in staffing an FSDO bin in your community but have no space?
• Do you know a great location for a bin but don’t know how to get started?
• Are you interested in using your skills to compost onsite but don’t know where to go?

Fill out our FSDO Suggestion Survey here and we will help connect you with community partners to open an FSDO!

How can QBG Compost support FSDOs?

The New York City Compost Project hosted by Queens Botanical Garden works to support community host sites by:

• Providing material to collect food scraps drop off site, and provide additional material for those processing on site
• Assisting sites with strategies to compost on site
• Lending tools and organizing technical assistance for composting/garden sites
• Hauling for public food scrap prop-off sites who cannot process on site

Find a public FSDO NEAR YOU!

At NYC Compost Project food scrap drop-off sites, New York City residents can bring their food scraps to be composted.

What do I bring?

Every public FSDO varies slightly in what material they accept for composting. At the drop-off site, empty your food scraps into the bin. Paper bags and soiled newspaper can also go into the bin. Plastic bags can be used but must be disposed of in a separate trash receptacle to be sent to a landfill, so please use them only if needed!

What can I compost?

We accept: 

Fruit and vegetable scraps, non-greasy food scraps (rice, pasta, bread, grains, cereal), coffee grounds & filters, tea bags, egg shells & nut shells, stale beans, flours, spices, cut flowers & houseplants, potting soil

We do NOT accept: 

Meat, fish, bones, dairy, fat, oil, greasy food scraps, animal waste, animal bedding, charcoal, insect-infested plants, plastics, twist ties, rubber bands, metal, glass

How do I store my food scraps before bringing them to you?

We recommend that you collect your food scraps in reusable containers, paper bags, or plastic bags. To reduce odors and fruit flies, store items in the freezer or refrigerator. A layer of shredded newspaper at the bottom of your storage container also helps absorb any excess moisture.

I’m a business. Can I bring you our food scraps?

We accept food waste from households only. No businesses or other commercial generators may drop off. Contact a commercial waste hauler to learn about your options.