Westwood Launches Pilot Composting Program to Reduce Waste and Cut Town Costs
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Westwood NJ, A long-awaited environmental initiative has officially arrived in Westwood, New Jersey. Spearheaded by Council Liaison Erin Collins and the Westwood Environmental Advisory Committee—with vital help from local Troop 350 Eagle Scout Nico Doell—the Borough has launched its pilot food waste composting program.
The project, originally delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, aims to give local residents an accessible way to divert waste from landfills while simultaneously lowering municipal garbage disposal fees.
Eagle Scout Shed Provides 24/7 Access
Central to the initiative is a newly constructed composting shed built by 16-year-old Nico Doell as his Eagle Scout project. Located right next to the Westwood Public Works Department building at 235 Harrington Ave, the facility provides enrolled residents with 24/7 access via a secure entry code.
Inside the shed, four large bins collect organic waste, which is picked up weekly by Neighborhood Compost—a commercial and residential composting service—and transported to their family farm in Warren County for processing. Neighborhood Compost has already diverted over 400,000 pounds of waste across New Jersey, partnering with neighboring municipalities like Tenafly, Ramsey, Ridgefield Park, and Leonia.
Turning Green into Gold: Environmental and Financial Benefits
Food waste and paper products account for nearly a third of standard household trash. By diverting these materials out of municipal waste streams, Westwood expects to see tangible benefits:
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Lower Municipal Tonnage Fees: Up to 30% of standard household garbage is compostable. Reducing total waste weight lowers the overall landfill fees paid by the Borough.
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Methane Emission Reduction: Composting food scraps keeps organic waste out of landfills, drastically cutting methane emissions and reducing reliance on chemical pesticides.
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Local Soil Enrichment: Future program goals include bringing nutrient-rich composted topsoil back to Westwood to nourish Borough parks.
Program Details & Guidelines
The pilot program carries a $100 annual fee per household, with an initial goal of recruiting 50 participating families.
Accepted Items:
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Fruits, vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds, and tea bags (without metal staples)
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Bread, grains, nuts, dairy products, meat, and bones
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Paper towels, napkins, shredded newspaper, and plain cardboard (free from tape/stickers)
Items Not Allowed:
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Produce stickers, household plants, yard waste treated with chemicals
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Tissues, toilet paper, coated paper (like store receipts), plastic utensils, or pet waste
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Glass, metals, synthetic materials, hazardous materials, or cleaning chemicals
How to Sign Up
Residents interested in joining the pilot program can register online through the Westwood Municipal Website or contact Borough Clerk Jean-Marie Vadovic via email at [email protected].
Join the new Saddle River Valley, Ramapo and Pascack Valley Communities Facebook group
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1931704860512551/
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Tags: Westwood NJ, Bergen County, Sustainability, Composting, Local Government, Green Initiatives, Eagle Scout Project
