Albany, NY | kristine.ellsworth@dec.ny.gov

Kristine Ellsworth is an Assistant Environmental Engineer for the NYS Department of Environmental Conversation Organics Reduction & Recycling section where she provides regulatory guidance and technical assistance on composting facilities, implements the NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling law and develops funding programs for organics related projects. Kristine has presented on numerous webinars and at NYS based conferences including the Federation Conference, NYSAR3 Annual Recycling Conference and the NYS Organics Summit.

Session Code: 1B

Track: Business

Session Name: Composting Infrastructure

Session Time: Wednesday, February 7, 8:15 – 9:45 AM

Presentation Title: Growing the Composting Industry in New York State

Presentation Description: During this presentation, Kristine Ellsworth will provide an overview of current efforts by the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) that support New York’s composting industry. • Effective January 1, 2022, the NYS Food Donation & Food Scraps Recycling law requires businesses that generate an annual average of 2 tons of wasted food per week or more to donate excess edible food and recycle all remaining food scraps if they are within 25 miles of an organics recycler. DEC is prepared to share lessons learned and data from the first year of implementation of the law. • DEC has contracted with Center for EcoTechnology to manage the Rethink Food Waste NY program. A free technical assistance program for both food related businesses and composting facilities alike. Through their work, New York State is also hosting five one day compost operator training courses to encourage the growth of food scraps composting. • To address PFAS related to biosolids, DEC released Draft Division of Materials Management Program Policy 7 – Biosolids Recycling in New York State – Interim Strategy for the Control of PFAS Compounds (DMM7). DMM7 establishes interim PFOS and PFOA criteria for biosolids that are recycled in New York State and actions that will be taken by DEC based on those results. DEC is also working with SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry to sample for PFAS at water resource recovery facilities that recycle their biosolids across the State. • DEC is working with the Office of Cannabis Management to encourage the composting of cannabis related materials. Through a contract with Cornell Waste Management Institute, Jean Bonhotal will also be providing technical assistance to cannabis growers to compost excess trimmings and plant material on-site. Note: If there is a particular interest in one of these topics, the presentation can shift to focus on that.