Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
City Diverted 2,500 Tons Of Food From Landfills Over 6 Months
By
Nell Casey
Published Nov 22, 2013
Modified Nov 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Nov 22, 2013
Modified Nov 22, 2013
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
A composting pilot program that began earlier this year has hit its stride at the six month mark. The Mayor's Food Waste Challenge, which seeks to reduce food products in our landfills, announced that 2,500 tons of food have been saved from banishment to the outer boroughs.
Each year, 1.2 million tons of food waste end up in landfills at a price of nearly $80 per ton. In an effort to reduce greenhouse-gas producing landfill waste, the city partnered with over 100 restaurants, who agreed to alter their food disposal system so that unused food could either be donated to non-profits and food banks or turned into nutrient-rich, organic fertilizer. Though restaurants are the biggest culprits in food waste, similar programs like the Department of Sanitation's organic waste collection take compostable items from homes and schools, adding to the overall total.
The FWC is part of the city's larger initiative, PlaNYC, which seeks to divert 75% of all waste from landfills by 2030. It's a tall order, considering New Yorkers generate 14 millions tons of waste each year; half gets recycled, a quarter comes from civilians and the other quarter from businesses, offices and manufacturing. Together with programs like GreeNYC and the increase of online tools that reduce the need for printed paper, the plan is on track to meet its goal. Regardless, let's hope we keep the cute goats.
Tagged
food waste
food waste challenge
landfills
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
Where are the cheapest drinks in NYC? A new report details the city's average prices.
The median price of a cocktail in the city is now $16, and $9 for a draft beer.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Published Oct 19, 2026 at 1:31 p.m. ET
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .