Every day, nearly 7,000 school children in 15 schools across Central New York, along with dozens of local businesses and colleges, are part of a unique effort that is restoring the environment along the western shore of Onondaga Lake. Together, these schools and businesses are keeping millions of pounds of food scraps out of the […]
Every day, nearly 7,000 school children in 15 schools across Central New York, along with dozens of local businesses and colleges, are part of a unique effort that is restoring the environment along the western shore of Onondaga Lake.
Together, these schools and businesses are keeping millions of pounds of food scraps out of the trash. This organic material is transported to the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency’s (OCRRA’s) Amboy Compost Facility on Airport Road in the town of Camillus, where it is processed into nutrient-rich compost for a fraction of the cost of normal trash disposal.
“The use of this compost for upland areas on the western shoreline of Onondaga Lake is successfully reestablishing native vegetation and improved habitat diversity for birds and other wildlife,” according to Paul Schultz, senior project manager with OBG (O’Brien & Gere). “To date, about 90 acres of wetlands have been restored, and more than 1 million native plants, including those linked to the lake’s rich culture and history, have been planted. More than 250 wildlife species, some that have not been seen in decades, are now calling these areas home, and more than 120 unique bird species have been identified in the area.”
A 20-year undertaking, the cleanup of Onondaga Lake is one of the largest, most complex remediation programs in the U.S. OBG has served as a strategic partner to Honeywell in this program focused on creating healthy, sustainable habitats that will benefit the lake’s ecosystems and neighboring communities.
With dredging, capping, and habitat restoration now complete, the program has resulted in the best lake water quality in decades, as well as the return of wildlife. The program has received engineering excellence awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC) and Environmental Business Journal, and a safety award from the Western Dredging Association (WEDA). This effort was a success with the help of compost made by OCRRA — a public benefit corporation that provides a comprehensive solid-waste management system for Onondaga County.
OCRRA’s Amboy Compost Facility has received environmental excellence awards from both the Solid Waste Association of North America and the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. The operation utilizes an aerated static pile process designed by GHD Engineers in Cazenovia, which reduces decomposition time by more than 60 percent. The compost is rigorously tested as part of the U.S. Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance (STA) program and is utilized in a variety of applications ranging from wetland restoration to residential landscapes and gardens. The material has been utilized at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo’s rain garden, the green roof at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City, and on the parade grounds of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
“The revitalization of Onondaga Lake’s western shoreline is a great community restoration story,” says OCRRA Executive Director Dereth Glance. “What makes it especially noteworthy is the involvement of numerous local businesses and schools that were early adopters of OCRRA’s food scrap recovery program.”
Some of these entities include: Wegmans, Pastabilities, Paul DeLima Coffee, Empire Brewing Company, Sheraton Syracuse University Hotel and Conference Center, Crouse Hospital, Upstate University Hospital, and many of the restaurants at Destiny USA.
Syracuse University, Le Moyne College and Onondaga Community College were also involved early on. The participating local school districts include LaFayette School District, Jordan-Elbridge Central School District, Fayetteville-Manlius Central School District, and Westhill Central School District.
Since the program’s inception in 2014, these entities amongst others have helped turn more than 18,200 tons (36.4 million pounds) of “trash” into a beneficial soil amendment.
“Compost adds nutrients to the soil, reduces the need to water, suppresses plant disease, reduces the need for chemicals and pesticides and sequesters carbon,” said Glance. “This means it helps our planet; it grows healthier plants, reduces greenhouse gasses, and protects our water supply from pollutants.”
Another unique aspect of this award-winning waste-reduction program involves a partnership between OCRRA and ARC of Onondaga’s vocational division, Monarch. Monarch team members bag OCRRA’s STA-certified compost. The bagged material is popular with local gardeners and is available through 30 local retailers — a complete list of retailers and locations can be found online at www.ocrra.org/services/compost/
Residents are also invited to drop off yard waste — and food scraps — at OCRRA’s Amboy or Jamesville compost sites for a small, one-time seasonal fee. For more information about OCRRA’s compost facilities, its aerated compost system, and its mulch and compost products, visit: www.ocrra.org/services/compost/
Kristin Halpin is PR & communications manager at OBG. Contact her at Kristin.Halpin@obg.com. Andrew Radin is director of recycling and waste reduction at OCRRA. Contact him at aradin@ocrra.org