Food waste alone accounts for about 18 percent of total landfill disposal. Although the percentage isn’t as staggering at face value, food waste in the landfill is one of the significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
To combat the growing amount of generated food waste, we launched a commercial food recycling program in 2016, in response to state of California law, requiring Roseville to source separate organic waste materials. As a result, we now recycle nearly 50 tons of food waste weekly from local restaurants, grocery stores or other establishments that generate a certain amount of organic waste.
Rather than filling up landfill space, we put that organic material to good use: It’s turned into compost that customers can purchase at the landfill. Composting is a means of using natural decomposing processes to food (and yard waste) into a nutrient- rich soil supplement. Returning organic matter to the land preserves natural biological cycles and is an ecologically sound way of using this organic material.
While Roseville doesn’t have a residential food recycling program, we do know it’s coming in the not-to-distant future for California communities. With the passage of SB 1383, Roseville is beginning to contemplate how we would introduce a program to comply with increased organic waste reduction in the landfill.
But you can compost your green waste now. Even if you’re not yet a gardener, this is still the perfect time to start composting. You can share your compost with people who garden, or spread it around the base of your shrubs or trees. And the moment you do decide to become a gardener, you’ll already have the main ingredient that you need.
Did you know? We offer old trash cans that make for great composting bins. Composting bin availability is limited, but a list will be kept to deliver when bins become available. Call us to learn more at (916) 774-5780.
But you can compost your green waste now. Even if you’re not yet a gardener, this is still the perfect time to start composting. You can share your compost with people who garden, or spread it around the base of your shrubs or trees. And the moment you do decide to become a gardener, you’ll already have the main ingredient that you need.