How New York turns millions of pounds of food waste into 'black gold'

By Christine Kiernan

NEW YORK (Reuters) -Watermelon rinds, greasy pizza boxes, and yard trimmings. In many cities, these items would head straight to a landfill. But in New York, they are the raw ingredients for something surprisingly valuable: “black gold.”

“We’re making this awesome compost that we can use throughout the city and improve soil health,” said Jennifer McDonnell, Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management at the New York City Department of Sanitation.

At the Staten Island Compost Facility, managed by Denali Water Solutions, landscaper waste has long been processed – but it now also handles residential organic waste. On an average day, the facility takes in 100 to 150 tons of organic material, going up to 250 tons when leaf fall is heavy.

Upon arrival, the waste is sh