There is a place in New York City where there is on-site composting, organic farming and a 40 kilowatt solar array. The Rikers Island Jail houses approximately 14,000 prisoners and produces 30-40 tons of organic waste a day. The program started in 1996 in response to the high price of ferrying the waste off the island. It was deemed economically feasible to have a composting facility on the island.

After the food scraps are collected from the cafeteria it is mixed  with wood chips. In a separate, air filtered building the food scrap/wood chip mix is gradually moved through two concrete bays. For two weeks the mix is periodically churned by heavy equipment until decomposition has started. The unfinished compost is moved outside where it composts for a few months, it is then screened and  used for landscaping and gardening mulch.

Around 250 – 300 inmates comprise the Rikers Island organic farmers. They are taught to weed, identify plants and learn about the germination process . The feedback from the inmates and gardening director is very positive. Some of the food  is eaten in the prison but the bulk is given to homeless shelters. Like so many urban gardens the space is small but the contribution to the shelters is large.

Rikers island has a few thing going for it in regards to a successful large scale composting/farming program.

- Though the volume of organic matter is large; it is centrally located.

- The facility has ample machine and man power to move, churn and screen the finished compost.

- Meat and Dairy (the main odor culprits) don’t have to be sorted out. All cafeteria food waste goes in together.

Rikers Island is a example of how a large scale composting program can work in the most populace region in the country. What would normally have filled a landfill is now serving as  garden mulch, education  and providing food for New York City’s homeless.