Sullivan County is already taking important steps towards a more sustainable future with its Food Scrap Recycling pilot program and a broader countywide organics management program. These initiatives are designed to yield significant benefits, including potentially saving over $1 million in disposal fees and reducing over 800 tons of CO2 emissions per year, all while enriching our local soils. 

As we nurture these programs, looking at successful models from other communities can provide valuable insights and a roadmap for even greater impact here in the Catskills. Emmet County, MI, with its comprehensive and long-standing approach to waste management and organics recycling, offers just such a blueprint, and one that I loved learning about 10 years ago when working in a neighboring area.

The Emmet County Department of Public Works (DPW)/Recycling Department operates with a clear mission to foster sustainable waste management and deliver extensive recycling services to its population of 36,000 and its 1,500 small businesses. Similar to Sullivan County, the population quadruples in the summer. The DPW’s two drop-off facilities serve as hubs for a wide array of programs. Beyond recycling for common materials like paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans and various plastics, they also manage specialized disposals for hazardous materials and electronic waste through dedicated collection events.

However, it’s Emmet County’s comprehensive composting program that particularly shines as an example for Sullivan County. This program goes beyond simple collection; it includes workshops, the sale of compost bins and detailed guidelines on what materials are compostable. 

They provide easily accessible resources explaining how to begin composting at home and emphasize its diverse environmental advantages. 

The county boasts a dedicated staff member who focuses specifically on commercial accounts, market development and composting, showcasing a strategic commitment to this vital area of waste reduction.

Emmet County further enhances convenience by offering weekly curbside collection in several townships and cities. The department consistently highlights the broader economic benefits of recycling, such as saving money, generating local jobs and stimulating the Michigan economy. This holistic approach, combined with accessible staff ready to assist with questions, truly fosters community engagement and participation.

Sullivan County, with our larger population (80,000) and approximately 850 businesses, has commendably begun a journey into robust organics management. Residents eager to join the Food Scrap Recycling pilot program can connect with the county’s recycling coordinator (email kassie.thelman@sullivanny.gov or call 845/807-0291). 

Our county also provides educational resources for those interested in home composting and grass recycling, including the NYSDEC Home Compost Guide and the NYSDEC Grass Recycling Guide. These guides offer detailed explanations of what compost is, suitable materials (including yard wastes and kitchen scraps, notably excluding meat, fish, bones and fatty foods), and various methods for building a compost pile—from simple mounds to constructed bins or even store-bought options. They thoroughly explain the critical role of proper moisture, aeration, and the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio for effective composting, along with the many benefits, such as improving soil and fostering healthier plants. See www.sullivanny.gov/Departments/SolidWasteRecycling for links.

Drawing from Emmet County’s established success, Sullivan County can significantly elevate its organics program through several key initiatives:

• Expand hands-on community education: Emmet County’s model of offering composting workshops provides invaluable direct learning. Sullivan County could significantly boost participation by organizing regular, interactive workshops. These could be held at community centers, farmers’ markets or in partnership with our Cornell Cooperative Extension Office, covering composting basics, advanced techniques, and troubleshooting common issues. Our existing NYSDEC guides could serve as foundational texts for these sessions.
• Make composting equipment readily available: Emmet County’s practice of offering compost bin sales and giving out compost bins during twice-annual workshops (the workshops cost $35 to register and participants take home a backyard bin), directly addresses a common barrier for aspiring home composters. While Sullivan’s NYSDEC guide mentions buying bins from stores, the county itself could facilitate this by offering a selection of affordable compost bins, potentially alongside educational workshops, to make it easier for residents to get started.
• Invest in dedicated organics leadership: Of its approximately 30 employees, Emmet County DPW’s decision to have staff specifically focused on composting underscores a commitment to program growth. Establishing a more specialized role or a dedicated task force focused solely on the expansion and innovation of our organics recycling program, including targeted outreach and infrastructure development, could accelerate Sullivan County’s progress beyond the pilot stage.
• Amplify the “all win” message: Emmet County effectively markets the broader economic and environmental advantages of recycling, highlighting cost savings, local job creation and economic stimulation. Sullivan County has already identified substantial financial savings in tipping fees and significant CO2 emission reductions. Actively promoting these tangible benefits—alongside the positive impact on local soils—to residents and businesses through local social media and county communications can significantly increase buy-in and participation.
• Integrate organics as a core component: Emmet County frames composting as an intrinsic part of its overall “sustainable waste management practices.” Sullivan County can further embed its organics initiative into its broader solid waste and recycling messaging, ensuring that composting is perceived not merely as an optional add-on but as a fundamental and essential element of the county’s environmental and economic well-being. Sullivan can also more fully leverage food waste resources from the U.S. Composting Council and Cornell Cooperative Extension. 

By strategically incorporating these proven elements from Emmet County’s successful framework, Sullivan County can transform its promising pilot program into a robust, widely adopted and enduring organics recycling initiative. This proactive approach will foster greater community engagement, maximize the environmental advantages, and deliver lasting economic benefits for all residents of Sullivan County. We have the potential to grow a truly greener Sullivan, benefiting both our environment and our economy.

Get involved

• Join the Food Scrap Recycling pilot program: Email Kassie Thelman, recycling coordinator, at kassie.thelman@sullivanny.gov or call her at 845/807-0291.
• Explore home composting resources: Visit www.sullivanny.gov/sites/default/files/departments/DPW/SolidWaste/NYSDEC_Home_Compost_Guide.pdf
•  for the NYSDEC guide to home compost. 

Jennifer Porter lives in Narrowsburg, NY and is a principal consultant with Raftelis, a public sector management consulting firm. She has more than 20 years of sustainability and solid waste experience. Porter is SWANA-certified in Zero Waste Principles and Practices and has completed dozens of sustainable materials management projects across the U.S. and abroad. She was previously a conservation program coordinator with the City of Portland in Oregon.