CANTON – In spite of recent storm damage to the structure at the drop-off site, Canton’s residential food waste recovery project is still operational. The shed that housed the food scrap dumpster was destroyed in a recent wind storm, but plans are in place to rebuild a more substantial, anchored structure. In the meantime, residential food waste can still be dropped off for composting.

Launched in the spring of 2019, the food waste recovery project was developed by volunteers on the Canton Sustainability Committee to encourage residents to keep their food scraps out of the waste stream and help create fertile compost for future use. Food scraps collected at the drop-off site on outer Lincoln Street were initially transported to a municipal site on Route 11 to be mixed with leaves and yard waste and transformed into compost.

“While the collection process has been reasonably successful, the procedure for transporting and composting hit some snags,” says Carol Pynchon, Village Trustee and a member of the Sustainability Committee. “It was a bit of a drive and an additional layer of work for our DPW staff to transport the waste, so we reached out for someone closer to the drop-off site to receive the material for composting. We knew it would help to have folks experienced and knowledgeable about the process to ensure a rich, useful end product.”

In response to the published appeal, littleGrasse Foodworks stepped forward, and earlier this spring the Village DPW crew began transporting the collected food scraps to the community farm on Miner Street Road in Canton. The waste previously deposited at the compost site on Route 11 was also relocated to the farm.

Farmer Bob Washo says, "littleGrasse is an ideal partner to work with the Village on diverting food scraps and other organic materials from landfills. In addition to our dedication to waste reduction and soil health, the farm is conveniently located only a mile from the Village. We have over 30 years of composting experience and have led workshops on both residential and commercial composting. It's exciting to be a partner in this project and we're ready to play an active role in growing and improving the program."

The move to littleGrasse is an important step for the community pilot project. “Canton is a Climate Smart Community, part of a network of New York communities working to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience,” explains Ann Heidenreich, chair of the Sustainability Committee. “Offering residential composting is a great way to reduce the organic kitchen waste you send to the waste stream and cut your disposal costs, all while reducing greenhouse gas emissions from food decaying in the landfill. And a local community farm benefits from a useful product that adds nutrients to and improves the quality of soil for their crops.”

Learn more about Canton’s Sustainability Committee at https://cantonny.gov/residents/get-involved/boards-committees/canton-sustainability-committee/.

The committee meets in the boardroom of Canton’s Municipal Building (60 Main Street) at 5 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. The meetings are open and everyone is welcome.

How It Works

If you’ve been curious about the community compost project, we hope you’ll give it a try! Key to the success of Canton’s compost project is ensuring that everyone follows the guidelines about what can and can’t be left for composting. It is important to remember that this is strictly for food waste; a sign at the drop-off site lists what is allowed and what is not. We are counting on participants in the project to observe these guidelines

Residents drop household food scraps that have been collected in covered plastic containers or commercially available compost pails at the drop-off site on outer Lincoln Street (follow the driveway on the north side of the outdoor rink).

Acceptable materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, non-greasy food scraps (rice, pasta, bread, cereal etc.), coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, egg and nut shells, pits, cut or dried flowers, houseplants, potting soil, and soiled brown paper products.

No meat, chicken, fish, greasy food scraps, fat, oil, dairy, animal waste, litter or bedding, coal or charcoal, coconuts, diseased and/or insect-infested houseplants/soil, biodegradable/compostable plastics, or receipts.

Absolutely No plastic or Styrofoam.

After depositing food waste, add a scoop of wood shavings, located in a can next to the waste receptacle.

Take any plastic containers or other trash with you to dispose of at home.