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Reusing New York city’s organic waste and making it cool to compost

Winner

Domingo Morales

Reusing New York city’s organic waste and making it cool to compost

Website

compostpowernyc.org

Year

2020

Organization

Compost Power

Sector

Environment & Sustainability

Borough

Brooklyn

Neighborhood

Red Hook

Domingo, a Bronx-born sustainability leader, is transforming NYC’s composting scene.

Domingo was born in the Bronx and has lived in all of NYC’s five boroughs. His obsession with composting and sustainability was shaped by his upbringing in public housing. Beginning with his enrollment in Green City Force, a non-profit that offers en…
Read winner story

Publication

The New York Times

The Unlikely Ascent of New York’s Compost Champion

By Cara Buckley
May 13, 2022
There were good reasons Domingo Morales, a city kid from the Bronx, didn’t want to try his hand at urban farming. He was terrified of germs. He thought vegetables were disgusting. Plus, everyone knows the ground in New York…
Domingo Morales
33%
of New York City’s trash is compostable.

Podcast

How To Save A Planet

Waste, Worms and Windrows: Domingo Morales' Quest to Make Compost Cool
How To Save A Planet
March 17, 2022
There were good reasons Domingo Morales, a city kid from the Bronx, didn’t want to try his hand at urban farming. He was terrified of germs. He thought vegetables were disgusting. Plus, everyone knows the ground in New York…

Publication

TIME

Urban farmer Domingo Morales is focused on compost.

By Time Staff
September 19, 2022
Urban farmer Domingo Morales leads a composting program that is helping make New York City more sustainable…
“Recycling wasn't an option when I was a kid: New York City's public housing authority is designed to be wasteful.⁠”
Domingo Morales
2020 David Prize Winner

Publication

PBS

New York’s “Compost Champion” Leads Fight to Save the Planet

By PBS Team
June 7, 2022
In NYC, where one-third of garbage is compostable, there’s a woeful shortage of composting services — especially for the one in 15 people who live in public housing. To prevent that trash from ending up in landfills and contr…
“Among our 500+ graduates at Green City Force, Domingo is not just a standout but a legend.⁠”
Lisbeth Shepherd
Co-founder and Strategic Advisor, 
Green City Force

Update from winner

Compost Power at Work
@compostpowerJanuary 4, 2024
Compost Power at work
Domingo and his team
To all winners

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