Growing East New York’s Circular Future: Designing for Local Organic Waste Processing and Microhauling in Commercial Waste Zones

Growing East New York’s Circular Future will support BK ROT, New York City’s first community-supported, bike-powered, fossil fuel-free food waste hauling and composting service, as the organization expands its operations into East New York. The project team will work with BK ROT to help plan for its new site and understand how they can best support the surrounding community. 

The project will bring together site planning, neighborhood research, and community engagement to inform BK ROT’s expansion. The team will examine the new site’s existing conditions, opportunities and challenges to accommodate the organization’s current needs and future growth. At the same time, the team will engage the surrounding community to better understand residents’ awareness of composting, environmental concerns, and interest in BK ROT’s programs. Together, these findings will help BK ROT make informed decisions about the design and use of its new space, ensuring that the site supports efficient operations while remaining responsive to neighborhood needs. 

Beyond guiding BK ROT’s expansion, the project will also develop a site analysis framework that may serve as a resource for other community-based organizations establishing new spaces across the City. As part of a broader effort, the project seeks to support more sustainable, community-responsive spaces that strengthen neighborhood connections and contribute to a more equitable, circular future for New York City.