Rebuilding our soil, neighborhood by neighborhood
Compost for Community Greening Projects
The NYC Compost Project hosted by Big Reuse has finished compost available for community greening projects. 
Breaking down the Nitrogen Cycle
You may be surprised to learn that the air we breathe is not mostly made up of oxygen, but of nitrogen gas -- about 78%. All living things, from giraffes to humans to decomposers like red wiggler worms and the microorganisms that live in our compost piles under the Queensboro Bridge, need nitrogen to survive. Nitrogen is critically important for our DNA, as well as amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. But giraffes and humans can't just pull the nitrogen out of the air. We rely on the decomposers to make it available for us in a process known as the Nitrogen Cycle.
Barbara Muesing, our resident City Service Corps member, takes a break from her Organics Collection outreach to explain how the Nitrogen Cycle works as well as how human involvement can impact the process, both positively and negatively.

Read the full story on our website
Food scrap drop-off news
We maintain 12 food scrap drop-off sites throughout 
Western Queens & North Brooklyn.
Drop-off schedule change:  The Steinway Library drop-off is now open Tuesdays from 8am to 11am.

Drop-off reopening: Food scrap drop-off is available at Socrates Sculpture Park every Saturday from 8am-2pm!

New Drop-off: We have a new drop-off site at Irving Square Park in Bushwick starting June 13th. This drop-off will be held Mondays from 8am to 11am .
Local composting events and opportunities

Get a gardener's perspective on natural fermentation with Queens Botanical Garden Saturday, June 11th. Tour the rose garden and nibble on sourdough while you learn! 

All New Yorkers who are passionate about making a difference in our City are encouraged to apply for the second class of City Service Corps which begins in September 2016. Applications are now open. Priority deadline is June 30th. Click here to apply!

The New York City Urban Field Station seeks two Field Researchers to conduct fieldwork this summer in Prospect Park located in Brooklyn, NY. Applications are being accepted!

The Queens County Farm Museum Agriculture Department is looking for a motivated, energetic individual to join their team for the 2016 growing season. Through participation in the day-to-day operations of production, seasonal farmers learn about the skills necessary to run a diversified farm. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Jen Griffith, Director of Agriculture, at jen@queensfarm.org .

Stories that piqued our interest
The NYC Compost Project, created by the NYC Department of Sanitation in 1993, provides compost education and outreach to NYC residents, community groups, city agencies and non-profits. The NYC Compost Project offers compost-related workshops and classes, runs the Master Composter Certificate Program, provides technical composting support, distributes DSNY compost & mulch, develops urban farms, and tables at public events throughout all five boroughs. The NYC Compost Project also operates neighborhood-based food scrap drop-off opportunities and ensures that those food scraps are composted locally.
Our wonderful hosts
Big Reuse Queens
3-17 26th Ave. Astoria, NY 11102
718-777-0132 x2

Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Big Reuse Brooklyn
69 9th St. Gowanus, NY 11215
718-725-8925 x2
brooklyn@bigreuse.org

Monday - Friday: 10am - 6pm
Saturday and Sunday: 10am - 5pm
Big Reuse purchases and tax-deductible donations reduce waste and support eco-initiatives. We accept drop-off donations seven days a week, offer free pick up services for large donations, and provide deconstruction services for skim salvage interiors.