Yonkers Mike Spano and the Yonkers Department of Public Works launched the expansion of its food scrap collection program by installing smart collection bins at three additional drop-off locations across the city.
Residents can now take their collected food scraps and deposit them safely in marked collection bins at Crestwood Library (16 Thompson St.), Lincoln High School (375 Kneeland Ave.) and PEARLS Hawthorne School (350 Hawthorne Ave.). Twenty-four hours, seven days a week access to smart bins allows residents to drop off their food scraps in collection bins at neighborhood locations convenient to their home. The smart bins can be unlocked using a smart phone by downloading the metroKEY app, or using a keypad access code available at yonkersny.gov/foodscrapdropoff. Food waste bins remain locked to reduce contamination and ensure all collected scraps can be properly composted.
Spano said, “Expanding Yonkers’ food scrap collection program is another step toward making our city cleaner, greener and more sustainable for future generations. By adding more convenient collection bins across our neighborhoods, we’re giving residents new opportunities to reduce waste and protect our environment. Every small action adds up and together we’re building a Yonkers that leads by example.”
Residents also now have the opportunity to register for their own curbside food scrap pick-up. The new residential curbside collection pilot program will offer convenient weekly pick-up of food scraps from residential properties. Residents are encouraged to register for the program at yonkersny.gov/foodscraps. The city of Yonkers also will establish food scrap recycling at its community centers with its senior meals and provide seniors with free food scrap starter kits to help them participate, at the following centers:
Bernice Spreckman Community Center,
Charles Cola Community Center
Scotti Community Center,
Nodine Hill Community Center,
Chema Community Center, and
Nepperhan Community Center.
“This expansion makes it easier for Yonkers residents to take part in food scrap recycling and help further reduce the amount of food waste that ends up in our solid waste stream,” said Thomas Meier, commissioner, Yonkers Department of Public Works. “Turning food waste into nutrient-rich compost is a sustainable waste management practice that avoids greenhouse gas emissions and saves taxpayer dollars through reduced solid waste disposal costs. The Yonkers Department of Public Works looks forward to the continued growth of the city’s food scrap recycling program initiated by Mayor Spano and I encourage all residents to participate in this effort.”
Since the city of Yonkers started its Community Food Scrap Recycling program in 2023, 73 tons of food have been recycled and 80 yards of compost have been made available to residents.
