WHAT IS THE ZERO WASTE ISLAND INITATIVE?

Earth Matter NY and The Trust for Governors Island have joined forces to create Zero Waste Island, an initiative formally launched in 2017 with the goal of reducing the Island’s waste export to zero. Our motto being “No Waste Wasted on Governors Island.”

100% of the organic waste collected is processed at our New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC) registered facility. We create fertile compost that is used across the Island and NYC. We process on average 600 tons of organic waste, 125 tons of which are generated on Governors Island including food waste, vendor scraps, compostable serviceware, and landscaping plant debris. 

In 2025 Earth Matter is investigating reuse as an antidote to plastics pollution and throwaway society on Governors Island at Liggett Terrace. Click here for more information about what we are up to and to submit feedback.

“Zero waste” is an aspiration that is ethical, economical, efficient, and forward-thinking. It is a phrase that guides people to change their lifestyle and adopt sustainable practices where all materials are not simply discarded but reused and recycled as efficiently as possible. With this in mind, ZWI aims to manage materials in a circular fashion.

The Trust and Earth Matter summarize their overarching goals for the Zero Waste Island Initiative as follows:

Demonstrate a “closed loop” as a model of sustainability for export to other communities.

Educate the public and Island partners on zero waste practices.

Nurture the verdant landscape of Governors Island.

HOW DO WE PRACTICE ZERO WASTE?

• As part of the Zero Waste Island Initiative, all Governors Island vendors, tenants, and event producers are required to use only compostable or reusable serviceware. They are also expected to reduce their waste as much as possible through composting and recycling. 

• To support vendors, tenants, and events, we train their staff and create educational resources like the Compostable Serviceware Supply and Compostable Serviceware Buyers’ Co-op Guide.

• The public sorting stations on Governors Island provide visitors the ability to separate their waste into compost, recycling, or as a last resort, landfill bins. We receive all of the organics from these compost stations and check for contamination before adding it to our compost pile.

• Earth Matter provides consultation and on-site education for best waste management practices during Island events to teach attendees how to compost and recycle, diverting resources from the landfill.

• ZWI is also reimagining our single-use serviceware lifestyle by conducting a multi-year study on reusables (e.g. metal, ceramic, glass), thanks to support from NYSP2I (New York State Pollution Prevention Institute), CUNY, and our Advisor, Dr. Samantha MacBride. For more information about what we are up to and to submit feedback, click here.