Community Compost Program

The Ecology Center's community compost program began in 1990 at our community garden on East 7th Street, between Avenues B and C. Since 1994 we have also offered a collection program at the Union Square Greenmarket. Community participants can drop off their kitchen scraps in both locations. The collected materials are transported to East River Park and processed in our in-vessel composting system. After three months the finished compost makes its way back to the market, where it is sold either as compost or as part of our potting soil mix.

Locations and Acceptable Materials:

The community compost programs collects scraps at two different locations:

gnmkt drop off

Union Square Green Market Compost Stand

Hours: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays

8am - 5pm, year-round

The compost stand is located in the northeast corner of the market, along East 17th Street, close to Union Square East/Park Avenue.

garden

Lower East Side Ecology Center Community Garden

Northside of E 7th Street between Avenues B and C
Hours: Sundays, 8am - 5pm, year-round

Kitchen scraps may be dropped off during Garden open hours: Sunday 8am - 5pm. Please empty kitchen scraps into the bin near the gate. Do not leave any bags in front of the gate.

Households only, NO businesses or other commercial generators may drop off organic waste.

Acceptable:	Not acceptable:
• All fruit and vegetable peelings and pits • Non-greasy food scraps or leftovers • Rice, pasta, bread, cereal, etc. • Coffee grounds with filter, tea bags • Hair and nails (animal or human) • Egg and nut shells • Cut or dried flowers, wreaths • Houseplants and potting soil	• Meat, chicken and fish • Greasy food scraps • Fat and oil • Dairy items: cheese, butter • Dog or cat feces, kitty litter • Coal or charcoal • Coconuts • Diseased and/or insect-infested houseplants and soil