Environmental Activity

Long Island Compost has been recognized by numerous environmental groups and institutes for its innovative "on farm" composting program. This state-of-the art composting process:

• Transforms organic waste materials into superior products for gardens;
• Keeps the materials out of landfills and incinerators;
• Directly benefits Long Island's farming industry while protecting the environment.

In short, the company partners with East End farmers, providing them with an annual host fee in exchange for using a small parcel of their land for composting. Farmers involved in the program also receive a large amount of free compost to use for their own farming and planting needs. It's an innovative program that benefits everyone involved - and goes a long way toward reducing off-Island exportation of solid waste. As a result of on-farm composting, Long Island Compost is able to:

• Eliminate more than 15,000 truck trips annually through Long Island and New York City;
• Recycle more than 150,000 tons of leaves and grass clippings and over 100,000 cubic yards of land-clearing debris, logs, wood, shrubs, bushes and yard waste.

Saving the Duck Industry: In addition to making it possible for Long Island landscapers to continue providing their much sought-after services, Long Island Compost can take credit for keeping another local industry viable: the duck industry.

Recognized as the nation's capital of duck farming - even our minor league baseball team is named the Long Island Ducks - local duck farmers were facing extinction a decade ago when it was discovered that excessive nitrogen levels in the Peconic Bay and South Shore estuary were the result of duck manure run-off from duck farms. The past regional director of the New York State DEC reached out to Long Island Compost for help. The company developed a successful, cost-effective protocol for handling the material and the duck farmers were able to stay in business.

EarthSmart Program: Long Island Compost continues to lead the way in the development of all-natural turf programs that provide an effective alternative to chemical-based fertilizers with pesticides. The company's EarthSmart is a 100 percent organic turf-care program available for school districts, public parks, golf courses, and other areas where safe and quality field care is essential.

EarthSmart uses an entirely natural compost process that eliminates exposure to the potentially harmful pesticides commonly used to maintain turf. Additionally, it is used at schools and golf courses across Long Island because it is safe and effective - resulting in aesthetically pleasing landscapes and improved soil structure and drainage.