County Awards $57,868 in Composting Grants

As per grant requirements, both projects must be completed and operational by December 31, 2026.

Dutchess County Executive Sue Serino has announced two grants, totaling $57,868, have been awarded to the Town of Wappinger and the Village of Red Hook as part of the County’s Composting Grant program. The goal of the grant program is to promote composting and the diversion of organic waste out of the waste stream, and further the County’s sustainability and waste-reduction initiatives.

County Executive Serino said, “Protecting the environment for our children and future generations is a top priority. Dutchess County was proud to establish the Composting Grant Program to encourage composting and reduce food waste. I thank the leadership in the Town of Wappinger and the Village of Red Hook for taking advantage of this County grant opportunity and for joining us in recognizing the importance of preserving our planet.”

Announced earlier this year, the grant program offered local municipalities and school districts a 50-percent County match of municipalities’ funds to install and operate an in-vessel aerobic composter for residents’ use or up to $20,000 to institute a communitywide food waste drop-off program.

The Town of Wappinger has been awarded $50,000 to purchase and install an in-vessel composting machine at the Town’s recycle center and transfer station, making it easy for residents to access it as they drop off bulk materials, brush, recyclables or garbage. This advanced system will allow for efficient and large-scale composting of organic materials, significantly reducing the town’s carbon footprint while producing nutrient-rich compost to benefit local agriculture and landscaping projects. Site preparation is aimed to begin in early 2025.

The Village of Red Hook will receive $7,868 to cover start-up costs to set up and implement a food waste drop-off program to promote community engagement in composting, offering residents a convenient drop-off site, centrally located in the Village center and accessible 24 hours a day. The program is estimated to be available for residents by spring 2025, and the Village’s Climate Smart Communities task force will oversee delivery of finished compost.

As per grant requirements, both projects must be completed and operational by December 31, 2026.

Deputy Commissioner for the Division of Solid Waste Management Kerry Russell said, “Food waste comprises between 20 to 30 percent of all municipal waste. By composting, we divert waste out of the waste stream, reduce greenhouse gases, produce nutrient rich soil and reduce the need for chemical fertilizers. The Division of Solid Waste Management is excited to partner with the Village of Red Hook and the Town of Wappinger to advance food waste diversion programming in our local communities.”

 To learn more about composting, including taking advantage of purchasing a discounted composting bin for home use, visit the Division of Solid Waste Management’s composting webpage.

The Composting Grant Program is one of the several County initiatives in its continuing efforts to preserve a vibrant environment for future generations. In September, for example, Dutchess County earned New York State’s highest Climate Smart Community distinction, Silver Certification, for the County’s continued climate action and environmental efforts.  Learn more about Dutchess County’s ongoing environmental initiatives on the Dutchess County Department of Planning & Development’s website.