Through its extensive recycling and composting operations, Longwood Gardens has dramatically reduced the volume of material it sends to landfill.
Reducing Landfill Waste through Recycling and Proper Disposal
In Longwood’s comprehensive compost facility materials are sorted and processed, including all recyclable materials used or generated by the Gardens, the Terrace Restaurant, and its guests. We have several locations throughout our property where materials are sorted and processed, including all recyclable materials used or generated by the Gardens, our restaurants, and our guests. Some of these materials include:
- Cardboard
- Light bulbs
- Batteries
- Metal
- Asphalt
- Glass
- Petroleum-based products
- Plastics (1-7)
- Tires
- PCs and monitors
- Organic material
Giving Back to the Gardens
We began composting in the early 1990s. Today, approximately 8,000 cubic yards of organic waste is processed on our five-acre composting facility annually and returned for use in the Gardens as mulch and compost to promote healthy soils. Managing this site is an intensive process and special equipment is needed to turn the massive 6- by 10-foot rows of decomposing brown and green materials. It’s estimated that composting saves us between $50,000-$200,000 annually in landfill expenses.