Sustainable Flatbush’s Community Compost Project, part of our Zero Waste Program, was started in 2011 by Master Composters Anne Pope and Kady Ferguson. The Project is located on the property of the Flatbush Reformed Church, and has been designated as a Community-Based Compost Site by the NYC Department of Sanitation. In exchange for their technical assistance, we hold educational workshops and events to promote the benefits of composting; we also accept organic waste dropoffs from neighborhood residents, members of the Flatbush Farm Share CSA, and the church’s emergency food program.
WHY COMPOST?
At Sustainable Flatbush we are big believers in composting as a simple and sensible strategy for diverting organic matter from the municipal waste stream, creating quality soil amendments for local gardens, and nurturing an environmental mindset in people of all ages. It’s also a great way to get in touch with the earth’s processes… who knew watching food rot could be fun??
A 2004-2005 study by the NYC Department of Sanitation found that up to 29% of the city’s residential waste stream consists of compostable organic matter, which costs the city millions of dollars in carting and disposal costs, and produces methane – a dangerous greenhouse gas – when dumped into anaerobic landfills. Transporting waste in heavy trucks creates pollution, noise, and traffic congestion in urban neighborhoods, contributing to a myriad of health problems.
Our grassroots and hyperlocal alternative to this unsustainable model is to recycle “trash” into treasure for community greening projects (gardens, tree pits, and parks) – compost!
IMPACTS OF OUR PROGRAM in 2012
- * over 5,700 pounds of organics diverted from the waste stream
- * 700 dropoffs of kitchen waste from Flatbush residents
- * 364 hours of volunteer labor engaged
- * 180 individual visitors hosted
- * workshops held with 80+ youth and children
RESOURCES to help YOU COMPOST
coming soon
VOLUNTEER SIGNUP
also coming soon!
