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Riverhead To Open Long Island’s First Food Scrap Recycling Drop-Off Site For Residents

The Town of Riverhead announces the opening of Food Scrap Drop-Off Site, a pilot program and the first of its kind in Long Island.

The Long Island Organics Council, in partnership with the nonprofit Green Inside and Out, worked with the Town of Riverhead Engineering Department to utilize a $20,000 community grant from the NYS Pollution Prevention Institute to establish the first food scrap recycle program on Long Island. “The Town of Riverhead was a natural fit for this project because its team had already conducted several successful composting pilot programs,” said Judy Greco, LIOC co-founder and steering committee member.

Modeled after successful food scrap program systems in other parts of the New York State and through collaboration with the North Fork Environmental Council, the Town’s Environmental Advisory Committee and others, registered residents will now be able to bring their food scraps to drop-off site to be converted into compost. “We want to do our part and are excited to be leading the way,” said Town Supervisor Yvette Aguiar.

The drop-off site will accept vegetable and fruit scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, bread, pasta, grains, and cut flowers (with all plastics removed). No food containers, fats, oil or grease, plastics, meat or dairy products, pet waste or cat litter will be accepted. Food scraps will be converted to compost on Town property adjacent to the drop off site.

To register to utilize the drop-off site and participate in the program. To register, go to: https://riverheadny.municipalone.com/forms.aspx?fid=684

Residents are invited to attend a ribbon-cutting taking place at May 11, 2023 at 1:00pm at the drop-off site located at the Town’s Yard Waste facility located at 532 Young’s Avenue, in Calverton. Members of the Town’s Engineering Department will be on-hand to further explain the program and answer questions.

The drop-off location will be located at:
532 Youngs Ave., Calverton
Yard Waste Facility (by E-Waste Drop-off)
Hours: Thurs – Mon from 7:00 AM until 3:30 PM
For more information on composting, see: https://LongIslandOrganicsCouncil.org/ 

Riverhead To Open Long Island’s First Food Scrap Recycling Drop-Off Site For Residents

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