New Rochelle Joins Westchester County’s Residential Food Scrap Transportation and Disposal Program (RFSTAD)
The City of New Rochelle launched its new drop-off food scrap recycling program, becoming the 28th municipality to join Westchester County Refuse Disposal District’s Residential Food Scrap Transportation and Disposal Program (RFSTAD). Under RFSTAD, District municipalities oversee the collection of residential food scraps utilizing either a drop-off or curbside collection program. The District then arranges to have the food waste transported to an organics recycler at a subsidized rate.
With the help of Westchester County, the City of New Rochelle joins other municipalities in reducing food scraps ending up in solid waste streams and providing more residents with a convenient way to recycle. Last year alone, the RFSTAD program managed over 1,100 tons of food waste and has continued to grow as more localities have taken advantage of the program’s environmental benefits and cost savings.
The City of New Rochelle’s decision to join the RFSTAD program strengthens the County’s commitment to promoting sustainability County-wide. Since the launch of the RFSTAD program, County Executive George Latimer has highlighted the importance of providing local municipalities with a program that would ease the financial burden of connecting with local food scrap programs.
County Executive George Latimer said: “My administration has been steadfast in expanding our food scrap recycling program’s influence and our recycling efforts County-wide. The City of New Rochelle joins the ranks of other local municipalities wanting to provide its residents with an additional way they can recycle and make an environmental impact. I am incredibly proud of the work our Department of Environmental Facilities are doing to expand programs like RFSTAD, and I am proud of the local municipalities stepping up to reduce their waste in a unique way.”
DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki said: “We are all thrilled to have another municipality join our RFSTAD program, reinforcing my Department’s commitment to implementing recycling programs to reduce waste and protect the environment. With the participation of a large municipality like the City of New Rochelle, food scrap recycling will now be an option for many more County residents.”
New Rochelle Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert said: “We are excited to bring this program to our residents. Not only does it reflect our commitment to environmental sustainability but it also strengthens our community’s role in reducing waste and conserving resources. By turning food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, we’re fostering a greener, more resilient City and County.”
In addition to RFSTAD, the County operates CompostEd, a small-scale food scrap composting site adjacent to the H-MRF in Valhalla. This facility can compost up to two tons of food scraps a week, providing an educational opportunity and composting demonstration site. Residents, students, and municipal officials interested in learning about the process and benefits of composting and exploring opportunities to incorporate food scrap composting into local programs are given tours of the facility.
If your organization is interested in information about CompostED or would like to participate in a tour, email CompostEd@Westchestergov.com.