From Trash to Treasure: How NYC Is Making “Black Gold”

New York City has found a way to turn everyday trash into treasure.

As the city’s curbside organics collection program marks its first anniversary in October 2025, Staten Island’s composting facility is already processing up to 250 tons of food scraps and yard trimmings a day, converting waste into what experts call “black gold.”

The process starts when discarded items like greasy pizza boxes, watermelon rinds, and leaves are shredded and placed in aerated piles, where they heat to over 100°F.

This high heat destroys pathogens while fungi, bacteria, and insects break down the material into a dark, nutrient-rich compost.

The city distributes the finished compost, nearly 6 million pounds this year, to residents, schools, and community gardens, helping improve soil health, manage stormwater, and keep parks thriving.

Nationwide, food scraps and yard waste make up the largest portion of household trash and are a major source of methane when sent to landfills. Experts say composting is a crucial climate solution, though cutting food waste at the source remains the most impactful step.