How Secaucus made community composting easier to run

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Client:

Town of Secaucus Environmental Department

Application:

Residential food scraps drop-off program

Building a stronger foundation for community composting

The Town of Secaucus introduced metroSTOR organics enclosures to strengthen its community compost drop-off program and replace the more temporary infrastructure used during the pilot phase.

The program had already shown strong early demand, giving residents access to neighborhood-based food scraps drop-off sites available 24 hours a day. As participation increased and the Town moved toward long-term operation, it needed infrastructure that could support reliable access, reduce maintenance demands, and give the sites a cleaner, more permanent standard.

Why the pilot infrastructure no longer met the program’s needs

Secaucus originally launched the program in partnership with Community Compost Company, using plastic sheds secured with coded padlocks to get the service up and running quickly.

That approach helped the pilot move fast, but it also created recurring operational issues. Locks could jam or freeze in colder weather, doors were sometimes left open, and the structures required frequent maintenance and repair. Over time, those issues increased staff workload, weakened site security, and created more opportunity for contamination or misuse.

As the program became more established, reliability and presentation both mattered more. The Town needed infrastructure that could support long-term operation and reinforce confidence in the program as it expanded.

“Our residents love the new bins. Several have called or spoken to us in person about how much more accessible they are compared to our previous plastic shelters.”

A more durable and better-controlled system for daily use

To support the next phase of the program, Secaucus installed metroSTOR F-Series organics enclosures across selected drop-off locations.

The units were configured to house 65-gallon food scraps carts while maintaining a compact footprint suitable for community sites. Heavy-duty galvanized steel construction and powder-coated finishes provided a more durable alternative to the original plastic sheds, while integrated code-lock access control helped support secure, responsible use by registered participants.

The enclosures also improved everyday usability. Top-loading apertures with foot-pedal operation made the sites easier to use, while custom graphic wraps helped reinforce program branding and clearer user guidance.

The overall result was a stronger infrastructure standard: more secure, easier to manage, and better suited to year-round outdoor use.

Cleaner sites, lower maintenance, and stronger user confidence

Following installation, the Town established a more stable and scalable infrastructure base for its compost program.

The upgraded sites reduced maintenance and repair demands, improved site security, and helped eliminate recurring issues such as doors being left open. Appearance and cleanliness became more consistent, while staff intervention requirements fell as the infrastructure itself did more of the work.

The new enclosures also supported continued strong resident participation. Users responded positively to the improved accessibility, cleaner design, and the convenience of keypad access compared with the previous padlock system.

“The sites are working very well and we have had no complaints at all. There was some initial adjustment for residents and haulers, but that passed quickly. Since then, we have heard nothing but great things.”

The benefits were not limited to residents. The Town’s composting partner also responded positively to the upgraded sites, reinforcing the view that the program now had a more dependable long-term operating model.

A scalable model for long-term program growth

With more reliable infrastructure in place, Secaucus has been able to focus less on site management and more on the future of the program.

The Town now operates multiple drop-off locations and continues to assess further expansion as resident interest grows. Because the metroSTOR system can be repeated across additional sites using the same basic specification, it supports a more consistent network over time and makes future rollout easier to plan.

That matters because the long-term success of community composting depends not only on participation, but on infrastructure that can hold its standard as the program matures.

“The system is meeting our needs, and it was a pleasure working with metroSTOR from start to finish. We hope to expand the program in the future.”

Kimberly McCleary CRP, CCC, SRMP
Environmental Director, Town of Secaucus

What this shows for community composting programs

The Secaucus project shows how community composting programs often outgrow the temporary infrastructure used to get them started.

Early participation can prove demand, but long-term success depends on sites that remain secure, accessible, easy to maintain, and durable enough for constant public use. In Secaucus, moving from plastic shelters to permanent enclosed infrastructure helped reduce operational risk, improve day-to-day consistency, and create a stronger foundation for future expansion.

For municipalities and program operators building neighborhood-based organics collection, that shift can make the difference between a pilot that works and a program that lasts.

Looking at food scraps drop-off infrastructure in your own area?

We work with municipalities and program operators to design organics infrastructure that improves usability, reduces maintenance burden, and supports cleaner, more reliable long-term operation.

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