Composting is the process of breaking down organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow plants. This process is typically done by creating a pile of organic materials and allowing them to decompose over time, which can eventually be used to improve soil quality and support plant growth. In 2021, The City of Hoboken expanded its residential compost drop off program to include 12 sites across the city, as part of its partnership with Community Compost Company. This women-owned business, based in the Hudson Valley of NY and Northern New Jersey, aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, save money, and repurpose food by encouraging people to separate out organic materials and compost them. This partnership is making it easier for Hoboken residents to start composting at home. If you’re interested in composting, here are the steps you can take to get started for free:
- Take the quick quiz on hobokennj.gov/compost to confirm your composting knowledge. At the end of the quiz you will receive the lock combination for the compost sheds.
- Collect food scraps and other organic materials (tea bags, paper towels, and other paper products). Use online resources to determine what you can and can’t compost. I recommend storing the scraps in an airtight bag or container in the freezer to reduce odors.
- When your at-home compost is full, empty it at one of the dropoff sites throughout Hoboken. Be sure not to put any plastic bags into the compost bin.
The free dropoff sites are located at City Hall, Church Square Park, Columbus Park, Elysian Park, Harborside Park, Jackson St Community Garden, Maxwell Park, Multi-Service Center, 7th & Jackson Plaza, Southwest Park, Stevens Park, and the 14th Street Viaduct. Community Compost Company provides additional services, such as residential pick-up starting at $30/month, for those who want more options to compost their organic waste.
The SGA is also hoping to launch their Sustainability Committee initiative to bring full scale composting to campus next semester. The plan is to start a pilot program with a small group of students that would test the logistics of composting on campus. This would include personal compost bins and a designated on-campus dropoff location. Steps to kickoff this program have already been taken by working with Stevens Facilities to identify potential dropoff locations and contacting local composting organizations to discuss transport logistics. If you are interested in being a part of this program, reach out to sga@stevens.edu.
Whether it is through the City of Hoboken or the SGA, I would encourage anyone who is interested to try partaking in either of these programs and incorporate composting into your life.
