Farmer Pirates Compost turns trash intro treasure
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — A pile of dirt might not be what it seems, especially if it comes from Farmer Pirates Compost. What looks like ordinary soil is actually a blend of vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and paper products, all transformed into nutrient-rich compost.
Farmer Pirates, a Buffalo-based composting company, collects food waste from across the metro area, composts it on-site, and sells the finished product to local residents and gardeners.
“That amounts to about 13 tons of food waste every week,” said Bill Jackson, the compost site manager. “After about 9 to 12 months, we’ve produced finished compost which we distribute all over the City of Buffalo and Western New York to whoever wants to buy it.”
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste makes up roughly 20 to 25 percent of municipal solid waste in the U.S. When that organic material breaks down in landfills, it does so in an anaerobic environment without oxygen producing methane, a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
“Landfills are the third-largest source of methane in the U.S. because we send organic materials like food waste to decay there,” Jackson said.
By composting, Farmer Pirates reduces emissions associated with decomposition by up to 80 percent. In addition to helping the environment, the finished compost also benefits local gardens.
“It increases the capability of soil to retain water, it increases nitrogen availability for your plants,” Jackson said. “There are a lot of benefits to applying finished compost.”
Farmer Pirates offers food waste pickup for Kenmore, Tonawanda, Amherst, Williamsville, Lancaster, Cheektowaga, Depew, or the Village of East Aurora residents. To learn how to sign up or to purchase compost for your spring gardening you can visit its website by clicking here.
Gwyn Napier is a reporter who joined the News 4 team in 2025. See more of her work by clicking here.