Secaucus, NJ

Strengthening Community Composting Through Secure, 24/7 Drop-Off Infrastructure

Project Snapshot

Client and location
The Environmental Department of the Town of Secaucus, responsible for delivering local environmental and waste diversion programs.

Program context
Secaucus launched its pilot community compost drop-off program in partnership with Community Compost Company. The program enabled residents to divert household food scraps through secure, neighborhood-based collection points, available 24 hours a day.

Within the first six months, participating residents collectively diverted more than 9,000 tons of food scraps from landfill. Following this early success, the Mayor and Town Council authorized the program to continue on a long-term basis, with multiple permanent locations established across the town.

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Context

As resident participation increased, the original infrastructure began to show limitations. Early sites relied on plastic sheds secured with coded padlocks. While these structures enabled the pilot to operate quickly, they presented ongoing operational challenges.

Common issues included limited durability, frequent maintenance and repair requirements, locks jamming or freezing in cold weather, and doors being left open. These issues undermined site security, increased staff workload, and risked contamination and misuse.

At the same time, the program’s growing profile meant that reliability and presentation were becoming increasingly important. The Town needed infrastructure that could support long-term operation, reinforce correct use, and reflect the program’s environmental goals.

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Journey

The Environmental Department reviewed its operational experience from the pilot phase and identified infrastructure reliability as a key risk to program continuity.

The team sought a solution that could:

• Provide consistent, secure access for registered users
• Reduce maintenance and replacement costs
• Withstand year-round outdoor use
• Support 24/7 operation
• Improve visual quality and public confidence in the sites

Following internal assessment and supplier engagement, Secaucus selected metroSTOR access-controlled enclosures as the preferred long-term solution for its compost drop-off network.

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Solution Architecture

The Town implemented four metroSTOR F-Series – Organics Cart Enclosures across selected drop-off locations.

Each unit was designed to support controlled, convenient use while addressing the durability issues experienced during the pilot phase.

Key features included:

• Heavy-duty galvanized steel frame and panels
• Powder-coated finishes for corrosion resistance
• Top-loading apertures with foot-pedal operation
• Integrated code-lock access control
• Secure service doors for maintenance access
• Custom graphic wraps for program branding and user guidance

The enclosures were configured to house 65-gallon food scraps carts, providing sufficient capacity while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for community sites.

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Implementation & Risk Reduction

Installation was coordinated across four locations, with delivery and setup managed by metroSTOR’s installation team.

Risk reduction measures focused on:

• Access control
  Individualized access codes were issued to registered participants, limiting misuse and enabling responsible site management.
• Weather resilience
  Steel construction and weather-resistant finishes reduced the risk of lock failures, structural degradation, and water ingress.
• Operational reliability
  Foot-pedal lids and soft-close mechanisms improved usability while minimizing wear and tear.
• Maintenance reduction
  The robust enclosure design reduced the frequency of repairs and eliminated the need for regular replacement associated with plastic sheds.
• Clear communication
  Graphic wraps and consistent design supported user understanding and reinforced correct material separation.

Together, these measures strengthened the operational resilience of the program.

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Measured Outcomes

Following installation of the metroSTOR units, the Town established a more stable and scalable infrastructure platform for its compost program.

Key outcomes included:

• Reduced maintenance and repair demands
• Improved site security and access control
• Fewer incidents of doors being left open
• More consistent site appearance and cleanliness
• Increased confidence in long-term program viability

The upgraded infrastructure supported continued high participation while lowering operational risk and staff intervention requirements. Residents responded positively to the new bins, highlighting their improved accessibility, cleaner design, and the convenience of keypad access compared to the previous padlock system. The Town’s composting partner also responded positively, recommending the upgrade to other customers considering a move away from more temporary plastic shelters.

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Scale & Expansion

With reliable infrastructure in place, Secaucus has been able to focus on program growth rather than site management.

The Town currently operates multiple drop-off locations and continues to assess opportunities to expand as resident interest increases.

The modular nature of the metroSTOR system enables additional sites to be added using the same specification, ensuring consistency across the network and simplifying future procurement.

This platform-based approach supports long-term planning and phased expansion.

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Client Voice

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