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1. Where do I get a counter-top pail and bin?

The Village of Scarsdale is offering “Starter Kits” to residents which can be easily purchased at the Recycling Center office for $20. Payment may be made by credit card, debit card, or personal check made payable to the Village of Scarsdale. Kits include one 2-gallon counter-top pail, one 6-gallon home storage & transportation bin and one roll of 25 compostable bags for your pail. If you wish to receive an at-home consultation on how to get started in food scrap recycling, please fill out the

Food Scrap Recycling Consultation Form

2. Am I required to use the countertop pail being offered by Scarsdale?

Residents may use any bin they would like to collect food scraps. Any container with a snug fitting lid that will fit under your sink or on your kitchen counter will work. Suggested sizing for the countertop pail is from 1 to 2.5 gallons. Suggested sizing for the storage and transportation bin is 5 to 6 gallons.

3. Where can I purchase additional compostable bags?

Durable compostable bags are available for purchase at the Scarsdale Recycling Center office (110 Secor Road) for $2.00/roll of 25 bags and are sized to fit up to a 2.5-gallon kitchen caddy. Payment may be made by credit card, debit card, or personal check made payable to the Village of Scarsdale; cash is not accepted.

We make food scrap recycling easy, neat, and clean!

4. Can I use plastic bags labeled “biodegradable”?

“Biodegradable” plastic bags are not accepted in the food scrap recycling bins. Compostable bags are made of plant-based materials that break down in the composting process. Plastic bags labeled “biodegradable” are made of plastic that breaks down into small pieces of plastic and will contaminate the compost.

5. Am I required to use compostable bags?

Using a compostable bag is not required. You can either use a compostable bag, a paper bag, or no bag.

6. Will composting be messy or smelly?

Collecting food scraps should not be any more messy or smelly than putting food scraps in your trash. The same materials are being collected – just in a different container. Using compostable bags with your pail will also keep everything cleaner.

7. What happens to the food scraps after they leave the recycling facility?

All material collected is processed and made into compost by a commercial composting facility outside of Scarsdale with specialized processes to quickly break down the organic matter - even meat scraps, fish and bones. The compost is then sold to landscapers and garden centers.

8. What is the difference between using the Scarsdale Food Scrap Recycling service and backyard composting?

Good compost can be made in a backyard composter or in a commercial composting facility. The difference between the two is that a backyard composter is limited to certain foods (fruits, vegetable, coffee grounds, egg shells) while a commercial composting facility can accept any food. Food such meat, fish, dairy, bones, shells, pasta, bread, rice, fats and oils can all be composted at a commercial facility. If you already have a backyard composter, it is suggested to keep composting in your backyard and use this service for those foods that can’t go into a backyard composter.

9. Why Compost?

Food makes up 30% of what people sends to landfills and incinerators, which then creates greenhouse gases and contributes to climate change. When composted, food scraps and organic waste can be turned into a soil amendment that helps grow more plants, fruits and vegetables!

10. Do I need to notify the Sanitation Department if I am away and wont be putting out my food scrap bin?

No. Once you are signed up, you do not need to notify the Sanitation Department about weeks you will not be putting out your bin.  Like all other Sanitation Dept services, even if you do not put out your bin one week, as long as you are registered for curbside food scrap pickup, the Sanitation Department will still continue to stop at your home weekly for your curbside food scrap recycling pickup.  For any changes to your service, such as moving to a new house, please contact composting@scarsdale.com or call the Sanitation Department at 917.722.1294.