Westchester County residents, including those in Bronxville, Scarsdale and Eastchester, can sign up now for free bags of locally produced compost at four county giveaway events in September and October.
The Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities published details of the fall program on Aug. 10, with online registration already live. Each registered resident receives two one-cubic-foot bags of compost at no charge. Slots are limited. The county said preference will go to residents who did not receive compost during the spring giveaway.
Registration requires choosing a specific time slot at one of the four locations, according to the county's announcement. Sign-ups are handled at environment.WestchesterCountyNY.gov/residential-compost-distribution-events.
DEF staff will verify registration on-site and load pre-bagged compost directly into vehicles, so residents don't need to handle the bags themselves.
The compost comes from DEF's CompostED site, a demonstration facility that processes up to two tons of food scraps each week. The county's broader food scrap diversion program handles more than 1,100 tons per year, according to DEF First Deputy Commissioner Louis Vetrone at an April 2026 Parks and Environment committee meeting.
Event schedule
- Wednesday, Sept. 16 — Croton Point Park, Croton-on-Hudson, 4–7 p.m.
- Tuesday, Sept. 22 — Sprout Brook DEF Facility, Cortlandt, 4–7 p.m.
- Wednesday, Sept. 30 — Household Material Recovery Facility, 15 Woods Road, Valhalla, 4–7 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 3 — Harrison Train Station, Harrison, 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
The Oct. 3 Harrison event is the southernmost location and likely the most convenient drive for residents in our area.
Discounted bins and rain barrels
The Sept. 30 Valhalla event doubles as a sale: residents can purchase discounted compost bins, rain barrels and related accessories. Orders must be placed in advance online, with pickup at the 15 Woods Road facility that day.
DEF Commissioner Vincent Kopicki has emphasized the department's push to expand sustainability programs. In a July 28 press release about a countywide recycling survey, Kopicki said the department wants to "understand the needs of the people we serve" as it builds out environmental offerings.
Staff from the CompostED program will also be at each event to talk with residents about the county's food scrap drop-off program. Residents interested in touring the CompostED facility can email [email protected] or call the Recycling HelpLine at (914) 813-5425.
The first event is Sept. 16 at Croton Point Park; the program is partially funded by a USDA grant.
