Food Scraps to Soil: Westchester Introduces Ecovim

Want to learn more about Westchester County’s efforts to convert food scraps into usable soil? Interested in what can be done to ensure that untouched food goes to the needy?

If so, County Executive Robert P. Astorino wants you to know about events this summer sponsored by the county’s Department of Environmental Facilities (DEF) where you can check these things out in person.

• Demonstrations are already underway of new equipment on loan this summer to the county at the Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) located on the Grasslands Campus in Valhalla. The unique Ecovim™ unit from OWARECO, LLC can convert food scraps into a useable soil amendment -- in under 24 hours. Demonstrations are ongoing on Wednesdays and Fridays until Aug. 30, at 10 a.m. The public, businesses and schools are encouraged to attend.
• DEF will be hosting Food Rescue Forums this summer also at the H-MRF. Visitors will learn about the county’s other efforts to support the distribution of untouched, fresh or packaged food to local houses of worship, food pantries and soup kitchens to feed the hungry. The initiative is part of a cooperative effort with the Food Bank for Westchester and Rock & Wrap It Up!, Inc. The dates are: 

Wednesday, July 24 at 10 a.m. for hospitals and institutions

Wednesday, July 31 at 10 a.m. for hotels and conference centers

Wednesday, August 7 at 10 a.m. for schools and colleges

Wednesday, August 21 at 10 a.m. for restaurants and supermarkets

To schedule a visit of the Ecovim™ system or to reserve a seat at a forum, please visit our website, or call our Recycling Helpline for more information: (914) 813-5425.