Java's Compost

🌱 Local gardener friends, we need your help!

has been serving our local community for more than 40 years, and this summer they’re expecting an even greater need for food assistance.

That’s where home gardeners like us come in 💚

Through the Grow a Row program, we can dedicate a row (or even just a few plants!) to growing fresh produce for donation. Tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, greens, zucchini. Every harvest, big or small, can help make beautiful and much appreciated meals for local children, families, and seniors in need.
I’ve teamed up with my friends and together we’ll be growing food to support this incredible cause. We hope you’ll help spread the word, follow along and join us!

Here’s how to help:
🥕 Donate whatever harvests you’re able to share (veggies, fruits, herbs). Every little bit adds up!
🥬 Bring your unwashed produce to Toni’s Kitchen
🍅 Donations are accepted 7 days a week (hours below)
One of the best parts of gardening is sharing what we grow. This summer, let’s widen that circle and share our harvests with our neighbors who need it most 💚

📍Toni’s Kitchen | 73 South Fullerton Ave, Montclair
Donation drop-off hours: Monday - Friday 9am-1pm | Saturday 9:30am-Noon | Sunday 3-5pm

Did you know that a lot of what gets tossed during a fridge cleanout can actually be composted? From wilted lettuce and last weeks leftovers to fruit peels and coffee grounds, these food scraps can be transformed into nutrient-rich compost instead of ending up in a landfill.

Cleaning out your fridge feels even better when you know your food waste is getting a second life.

Ready to start composting? Sign up with Java’s Compost (link in bio) and turn your food scraps into healthy soil!

Don’t waste your waste!

Kids + composting = real impact

Amilia from South Mountain Elementary shares how their composting program with Java’s Compost has become something the students truly love being a part of. Thanks to their hard work, the school has already diverted over 7,000 lbs of food waste from the landfill and incinerators!

And the impact doesn’t stop there — they’ll also be hosting a Compost Giveback at the school next week so families can bring home nutrient-rich compost created from the food scraps collected through the program. Full circle sustainability in action.

Parents — does your child’s school have a compost program? If not, and you’d love to see one started, reach out to us! We’d be happy to chat about how composting can work at your school and help make it happen.

What happens when sustainability leaders come together? A lot of great conversations… and a lot of compostable waste!

We were proud to provide composting services at the Sustainable Jersey Summit, helping ensure that food scraps and other compostables were diverted from the landfill and turned into a valuable resource.

Every banana peel, compostable coffee cup, and food scrap collected is one small step toward a more sustainable future.

A big thank you to everyone who participated and helped make composting part of the event.

LAST Compost Give Back in Maplewood! 🌱

Mark your calendar for Thursday, May 21st from 5–7 PM and stop by the Maplewood Municipal Pool parking lot to pick up your “black gold” compost.

Please note: you MUST register in advance for this specific location in order to receive your compost.

This is the FINAL give back day of the season, so be sure to check your email for registration details and don’t miss your chance to pick up your compost!

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What is composting, and why should you do it?

Composting is the process of turning food scraps and organic waste into nutrient-rich soil that helps plants, gardens, and farms thrive. Instead of sending your waste to a landfill, you’re helping create a full circle system — food becomes compost, compost grows healthier food, and the cycle continues.

There are so many reasons to start composting with Java’s Compost, but the biggest one is simple: your waste can become something valuable. Every banana peel, coffee ground, and veggie scrap has the potential to give back to the earth.

Ready to get started?
Sign up with Java’s Compost (link in bio) and use code GOGREEN to get your first month FREE!

Don’t waste your waste!

Hi! We’re Michelle & Java!
And to all our new friends here… welcome to Java’s Compost! We’ve had so many new followers join lately, so we wanted to take a second to reintroduce ourselves and say THANK YOU for being here!

We’re passionate about turning food scraps into something amazing for the planet, helping gardens thrive, and making composting feel fun and approachable for everyone.

Now we want to hear from YOU!

〰️New here? Drop a 🙋 in the comments so we can say hi!
〰️Been following along for a while? Tell us how long you’ve been part of our compost community!
〰️ And tell us: where are you from and how did you find Java’s Compost?

We love getting to know this community — so don’t be shy!

What does compost actually do for your garden?
From improving soil health to helping plants grow stronger and healthier, compost is one of the best things you can add to your garden. It truly is magical!

Thank you to Dani from for sharing how and when she uses compost in her garden and why it makes such a difference!

We had the opportunity to spend Stop Food Waste Day at Montclair State University, working alongside students to measure how much food was being wasted in real time. This data helps us better understand composting costs while also raising awareness around everyday waste habits.

It was an incredibly successful day—most students wasted less than the national daily average, which is something to be proud of 👏

Thank you to Montclair State for welcoming us.