Zero Waste New York City
City Guide
You need tools and resources on your zero waste journey. Whether it’s a local zero waste program or restaurants specializing in the circular economy, here we have gathered our recommendations for the city of New York. Do you have a recommendation? Contact us here.
Programs Grocery Stores Restaurants Events Compost Drop Off Sites
Zero Waste Programs
There are opportunities to get involved with your community with these zero waste programs.
Green Bronx Machine
Green bronx Machine is dedicated to transforming marginalized communities into healthy and equitable communities through inspired education and local food systems.
GreenFeen
GreenFeen uses Hip Hop to teach sustainability as a lifestyle through Zero Waste events, compost education and more.
City Waste Challenge Programs
The Mayor’s Zero Waste Challenge, in its first year, was created to help large waste-generating businesses—hotels, arenas, food wholesalers and manufacturers, commercial building owners, and others strive to reach zero waste to landfill and incineration.
Zero Waste Grocery Stores
Composting programs? Check. Sourcing food sustainably? Check. Find zero waste grocery stores near you.
The Wally Shop
The Wally Shop is a Zero Waste delivery-only grocery store based in Brooklyn. They deliver all of your favorite food and cleaning products in bulk and in reusable containers.
Precycle
NYC’s first package free grocery store who works with local farmers and distributors on a one-on-one basis. Customers know where their food originates.
Zero Waste Restaurants
Truly unique eateries, we’ve rounded up our favorite zero waste restaurants here.
Graffiti Earth
Jehangir Mehta is the Chef and Owner of Graffiti Earth and has sustainability engrained in every part of his restaurant and business practices, including wasting less of everything.
Rhodora
Rhodora is a Zero Waste Wine Bar located in Forte Greene Brooklyn. The restaurant prides itself on its sustainable operations. They only use products that can be recycled, upcycled, or composted. The restaurant sends zero waste to Landfill.
West Bourne
Working on becoming the city’s first Certified Zero Waste Restaurant, they compost all of their food waste, pre- and post-consumer.
Zero Waste Events
Whether in-person or online, there are many zero waste events available. See what is coming up.
GrowNYC
GrowNYC hosts several Zero Waste Event Programs including Stop ‘n Swap, a program for residents to swap out their belongings for someone else’s no-longer-wanted belongings! One man’s trash is another man’s treasure!
Sanitation Foundation
The Sanitation Foundation partners with the Department of Sanitation to bring together innovators and the community to create a cleaner, healthier, more sustainable New York City.
Compost Drop Off Sites
80 billion pounds of food is thrown away each year. Help combat food waste by dropping off your organics at one of these compost locations.
Domino Park
Domino Park in Williamsburg is accepting food waste drop offs from residents at their in-vessel composting machine called the Rocket located within the park.
GrowNYC
GrowNYC offers NYC residents in all five boroughs a chance to divert their food scraps from landfill with drop off locations conveniently located across the city. Residents can drop off their food scraps for free.
