Since 1987, the mission of the LES Ecology Center has been to pioneer community-based models in urban sustainability by offering unique e-waste and composting services, environmental stewardship opportunities, and educational programming to all New Yorkers.

Goals: 

Collection & Processing

• Maintain five food scrap drop off sites in Manhattan, collecting 500,000 pounds of materials each year

• Planning for the construction of a new compost yard in East River Park, completion 2027

Outreach & Education

• Strengthen community composting operations through site evaluations, action planning, volunteer coordination, and the distribution of resources such as browns, building materials, and tools

• Distribute finished compost to community groups to build healthy soils

• Coordinate compost application events

• Lead Master Composter workshops (cohort and individual), volunteer events and field trips

• Administration of citywide Master Composter Certificate Course