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Committee approves first-ever county compost sale and updates transfer-station fees
Summary
The Physical Services Committee voted to establish a county retail compost sale at $60/ton with a $30 minimum and confirmed sweeping tipping-rate and commodity fee updates that take effect July 6, 2026. Officials said composting capacity will expand to accept mixed yard waste and, later, food scraps.
The Orange County Physical Services Committee on May 26 approved a set of updated tipping rates and the county's first formal retail price for compost produced at its transfer station. The committee voted to set the compost sale price at $60 per ton with a $30 minimum load charge, effective July 6, 2026, and amended commodity fees for county-owned transfer facilities.
"They will be starting to grind and compost yard waste and are updating commodities," Robert Gray, Deputy Commissioner of Public Works/Environmental Facilities & Services, told the committee, adding the county plans to mix food scraps with ground wood as part of a broader compliance and diversion effort tied to a state program. Committee members noted Rockland County's lower fees, and Gray responded that Rockland's flow-control policy restricts use to county residents and imposes higher out-of-county rates.
The committee also approved several linked capital projects and operational improvements at the county's transfer stations, including equipment and vehicle replacements designed to support expanded composting and improved site operations. Mr. Gray said the county has previously used produced compost internally—by parks and county crews—but this is the first time the county will offer it for sale to the public.
Next steps include implementation at Transfer Station #1 and coordination of pricing and marketing; the committee approved the motion unanimously.
