Community Compost Program

THIS PROGRAM WILL LAUNCH IN FALL 2026

At Sunray Community Farm, we believe healthy soil begins with community. Our free Community Compost Drop-Off Program helps transform local food scraps into living compost that supports regenerative agriculture, perennial food systems, pollinator habitat, and healthy soils here in New York's Capital Region.

Rather than viewing food scraps as waste, we see them as part of a living cycle; returning valuable nutrients to the soil where they can nourish plants, support soil biology, and help grow future harvests.

Participation is free, but registration is required. Registered participants receive access to our secure compost collection area, allowing us to maintain a clean, well-managed system, monitor participation, and ensure that only approved compostable materials are added.

Whether you're looking to reduce household waste or simply contribute to a healthier local ecosystem, your food scraps become part of a regenerative cycle that benefits the farm, the community, and the land we all share.

How the Program Works

After registering, you'll receive a welcome email with program guidelines, accepted materials, and drop-off instructions.

Members receive access information and a private code for the designated compost drop-off area. During access hours, members may bring approved food scraps directly to the farm and contribute to an active composting system that helps build soil and support our long-term regenerative farming efforts.

This membership-based approach helps us maintain a clean, organized, and manageable community composting program while creating a direct connection between local households and local farming.

  • We accept most household food scraps and organic kitchen materials, including:

    • Fruits & vegetables

    • Bread, grains & pasta

    • Coffee grounds & tea

    • Eggshells

    • Dairy products

    • Cheese

    • Meat scraps & bones

    • Seafood & shellfish

    • Cooking oils in small quantities

    • Nuts, seeds & baked goods

    • Spoiled food (removed from packaging)

    • Paper napkins & uncoated paper towels

    • Wooden chopsticks & untreated wooden compostable items

    • Cut flowers & small amounts of plant material

    Please remove:

    • Produce stickers

    • Twist ties

    • Rubber bands

    • Packaging materials

  • Please do not include:

    • Pet waste or animal feces of any kind

    • Cat litter

    • Disposable diapers

    • “Compostable” plastics or bioplastic packaging

    • Compostable cups, lids, utensils, or cutlery (unless made entirely of untreated wood)

    • Plastic bags

    • Glass, metal, or conventional trash

    • Chemicals or hazardous materials

    If you are unsure about an item, feel free to contact us before adding it to your bucket.

    • Community Compost Drop-Off Memberships are billed in recurring 3-month periods in order to help support the ongoing operation and maintenance of our small-scale community composting systems.

    • Memberships may be canceled at any time by contacting us directly. Cancellation will prevent future billing cycles from renewing automatically; however, active membership periods are prepaid and non-refundable once a billing cycle has begun.

    • Access to the compost drop-off area and container system will remain active through the end of the current paid membership period.

    • Because this is a community-supported and limited-capacity program, membership fees help support long-term soil building, regenerative farming, and ecological stewardship efforts at Sunray Community Farm.

If you are interested, please complete this membership application form, and we will be in touch within 5-7 business days.