YORKTOWN, N.Y. – On July 19, the town of Yorktown unveiled its new food recycling station and bins located at the lower parking lot in Downing Park.

Supervisor Matt Slater was joined by Paul Moskowitz from the Climate Smart Communities Task Force; Sarah Wilson and Laura Kosbar from Yorktown100; Kevin Carter, executive director of Teatown Lake Preservation; Yorktown Parks and Recreation Superintendent Jim Martorano, Yorktown Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Matt Talbert, and Yorktown Refuse and Recycling Director Phil Marino to present the food recycling bins to the community.

“People keep asking me, why do I want to compost?” Slater said. “It combats climate change, it reduces waste, it helps us grow healthier plants, it conserves water, and it assists in stormwater management. That’s why it’s so important for us to embrace composting, specifically when it comes to food waste.”

Any food waste is acceptable to contribute to the bins, as well as teabags, kitchen paper products, cut flowers, and compostable bags. Items that are not accepted are plastic products (bags, wrappers, packaging), baby and hand wipes made of non-biodegradable synthetic materials, and pet waste.

More information on how to contribute to the town’s composting initiative can be found on the Yorktown website under the refuse and recycling tab, as well as on the sign filled with instructions installed at the Downing Park food waste drop-off site.

Slater said the town will be selling biodegradable bags, countertop collection pails, and other materials and supplies through its website to equip Yorktown residents with the tools to support the program.

“We’re very excited to test this out. We believe that it’s going to be overwhelmingly successful,” said Slater at the July 21 Town Board meeting.