The Staten Island Compost Project
Composting is Nature’s way of recycling, converting household waste into a rich soil amendment which encourages soil health and plant growth. It is a simple and rewarding practice that any household, organization or class can participate in. Nearly one half of what you send to the landfill can be composted, so with just a few minutes of work each week you can significantly lessen your environmental impact and increase the productivity of your garden!
The NYC Compost Project is funded and managed since 1993 by the NYC Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling to provide compost outreach and education in all five boroughs. The Staten Island Compost Project, carried out by Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden, offers a variety of compost related workshops and classes for residents, teachers, school groups, groundskeepers, landscapers, and other interested parties. These workshops are provided at Snug Harbor Cultural Center and Botanical Garden as well as off site for schools, community organizations and the like.
Current information and services include:
Request a Workshop
Are you a Teacher, Community Gardener, Landscaper, Camp Director, or Community Group Member that is interested in composting? The Staten Island Compost Project would like to provide your class, staff, or group with a comprehensive, engaging and rewarding workshop on composting. Our workshops are uniquely tailored for you and your audience. Classes can be provided at Snug Harbor or we can visit you.
For more information and to arrange a workshop please email us at compost@snug-harbor.org or call 718-425-3557.
There is a $25 fee for workshops (maximum # of Students is 25). This fee is used to cover the costs of demonstrational materials and informational handouts
Workshops for Community Groups.
Do you belong to a community garden, neighborhood association, or civic group that is interested in composting? We will visit you (groups of 5 or more) to present a hands-on workshop, and assist you in creating and maintaining your very own compost bin.
Workshops in the Classroom.
Learn about composting with our innovative Unearthing the Science of Composting class. Discover why a compost bin is such a rich and rewarding educational tool: Compost bins, supplemental texts and lesson plans for in-class activities are provided. This hands-on class encourages students to:
- Foster a sense of environmental stewardship by learning about the importance of reusing, reducing and recycling our waste.
- Discover the complex ecosystem in the decomposition process with working compost and live worms.
- Learn the essentials to start composting at school and at home.
- Realize the numerous benefits that compost provides to soil and plant health.
Workshops for Teachers.
Looking for a new way to introduce your class to ecology, environmental science, and recycling? Try composting! Learn how to set up a worm compost bin, maintain the system effectively, and discover creative ways to incorporate composting into your science, math, and language arts curriculum. This class may be held at any school for groups of 5 or more teachers.
For more information
email us at compost@snug-harbor.org
or call our Compost Helpline at 718-425-3558
Arrange for your class or community group to visit and see composting in action. Or, we can come to you.
Master Composter Certificate Course If you’re interested in gaining an in-depth knowledge of composting, and sharing your know-how and enthusiasm with people in Staten Island consider the Master Composter Certificate Course. This train-the-trainer course is designed to promote the practice of home composting and the reduction of our city’s solid waste.
Composting Accessories
All items below can be purchased at the New York Chinese Scholar’s Garden Entrance/Gift Shop. The Gift Shop is open from 10am to 5pm, Tuesday through Sunday.
Garden Gourmet
Cost: $ 60
The recycled plastic compost bin is available to NYC residents at cost for $60. These bins normally retail for $75 to $95. The Garden Gourmet can hold 11 cubic feet of material and weighs 29 pounds. Parts are easily assembled – no tools – just follow the diagram in the instruction booklet. Finished size is 24” x 24” x 36”.
Wing Dinger
Cost: $20
An essential tool for turning your compost. Use the Wing Dinger weekly to properly mix the materials in your compost pile.
For more information
email us at
compost@snug-harbor.org
or call our Compost Helpline at 718-425-3558
Compost Givebacks At this time there is no raw material to create more compost. The Fall 2008 Compost Givebacks were the last Givebacks until sometime in the future.
Email us at compost@snug-harbor.org
or call our Compost Helpline at 718-425-3558.
The NYC Compost Project was created by the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) in 1993 to provide compost outreach and education to City residents and businesses. Funded and managed through the Department of Sanitation’s Bureau of Waste Prevention, Reuse and Recycling, the NYC Compost Project programs are carried out by Department-funded staff at the City’s Botanical Gardens and the Lower East Side Ecology Center.