Erie County asks Grand Island to join DEC‑funded 'Plate to Field' organics program

Erie County officials asked the Grand Island Town Board to join a DEC‑funded organics recycling initiative that would make Grand Island one of five municipal partners and provide infrastructure and training at no cost to the town, officials said.

Tyler Hamilton of the Erie County Department of Environment and Planning told the board the county manages the grant and can provide a customized organics management plan for Grand Island and help stand up a pilot program. "We're looking for a letter of commitment to follow through with the organics management plan drafting, getting together some sort of pilot program for diverting your residential food waste," Hamilton said.

Project partner Sashi of We Radiate described three main offerings: a tailored organics management plan; resident education through a "soil stewards" outreach course; and pilot support including collection bins and kitchen totes. "Along with the environmental aspect, there's also an economic and financial benefit... this is my career. This is my line of work," Sashi said, noting their team can supply infrastructure and custom flyers for residents.

Farmer Pirates Compost, a private collection and processing operator that already works across Western New York, described collection and processing options for municipalities that need hauling services. A Farmer Pirates representative said the company collects from homes, businesses and institutions and could be hired if the town prefers not to provide transport.

County staff said the DEC awarded Erie County a grant of more than $500,000 to work with five municipalities and that the grant covers the infrastructure and many program costs; the town’s only recurring obligation under the proposed pilot would be transport of collected food scraps to the receiving site unless a third‑party hauler is engaged. "The DEC gave Erie County a grant over $500,000 to partner with 5 municipalities... the infrastructure for this would be paid for by the grant," a county speaker said.

Board members asked practical questions about weekly transport, tote sizes and whether town highway staff could incorporate collection into existing routes. Hamilton and partners said the county could provide 21‑gallon totes and swap them at the Alden site and that logistics could be designed to minimize staff time.

The board did not vote to join immediately; presenters said there is a template MOU and that four Erie County municipalities are already participating. County staff and partners invited interested board members to sign a letter of commitment and said Erie County will provide a template MOU and follow up on next steps.

The board placed the item for further discussion and follow‑up with county staff; Erie County representatives left contact information and offered to support planning if the town elects to participate.