County Executive Robert P. Astorino Wednesday helped show the power of Eco-250, a hi-tech food waste decomposition system at the Household Material Recovery Facility (H-MRF) in Valhalla. That power can turn up to 250 lbs of food waste daily into 50 lbs of usable soil amendment.

"The power of the Eco-250 is really the power to strengthen the environment and the power to help alleviate hunger," said Astorino. "It accomplishes this by reducing the waste stream and at the same time coming up with an excellent fertilizer that can grow new food."

Astorino said that local schools, businesses, non-profits and others are welcomed and encouraged to book an appointment this summer to view the Eco-250 at the H-MRF and consider whether it fits into their food waste reduction plans.

Thomas Lauro, Commissioner of the county's Department of Environmental Facilities, said, "Hosting  this pilot on county property will hopefully heighten public awareness of food waste reduction and afford local businesses an opportunity to visit us, see the unit in action, and learn more about waste management initiatives in Westchester."

Dr. Robert Woodbine, Senior Vice President of OWARECO, LLC said, "OWARECO is proud to partner with the Westchester County's food waste reduction project by providing an innovative zero waste solution as part of the county's comprehensive strategy to address the local challenges of food waste, hunger, poverty and environmental sustainability."

This is the second part of Astorino's "food rescue" initiative announced during the 2013 State of the County Address. The first part of the initiative focuses on the "rescuing" of untouched, fresh or packaged food from local schools, colleges, hospitals, hotels and restaurants and to local houses of worship, and then redistributing it to local food pantries, soup kitchens and houses of worship to feed the hungry. On April 30, more than 40 school officials were on hand at a forum hosted by Astorino to hear about ways to reduce their food waste. Syd Mandelbaum, CEO and founder of the Long Island based non-profit, Rock and Wrap it Up!  presented on how his organization can work with schools to facilitate the recovery of good food. Future forums are being set up and will be expanded to restaurants, hotels and other facilities.

Anyone interested in more information on future forums can contact Marianne Petronella, Westchester County Department of Environmental Facilities/Recycling office by calling (914) 813-5415 or by sending an e-mail to .

Anyone interested in more information on Rock and Wrap it Up! and OWARECO can visit their Web sites www.rockandwrapitup.org and www.owareco.com.