{"id":22408,"date":"2017-08-04T09:44:49","date_gmt":"2017-08-04T13:44:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wasteadvantagemag.com\/?p=22408"},"modified":"2017-08-04T09:44:49","modified_gmt":"2017-08-04T13:44:49","slug":"austin-expanding-curbside-compost-collection-program","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wasteadvantagemag.com\/austin-expanding-curbside-compost-collection-program\/","title":{"rendered":"Austin Expanding Curbside Compost Collection Program"},"content":{"rendered":"
In an effort to cut down on the amount of\u00a0food scraps being sent to Austin\u2019s landfills, the city of Austin is expanding its curbside compost program to more customers. In two months, another 38,000 customers of\u00a0Austin Resource Recovery will have access to curbside compost collection.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlmost half of what you have in your trash cart right now could be turned into compost that can be used in gardens, in farming, and can amend our soil.,\u201d said Emlea Chanslor\u00a0with Austin Resource Recovery.<\/p>\n
The pilot program was rolled out in 2013 and until now, served 14,000 Austin Resource Recovery customers. Austin Resource Recovery says more than 15,000 tons of compostable was has been collected since the roll out. They\u2019re expecting those numbers to spike with the additional households.<\/p>\n
Vicky Pridgen is passionate about reducing waste. She serves as a\u00a0Zero Waste\u00a0block leader keeping her neighbors up to date on ways to reduce waste. She hopes the compost collection program keeps growing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf we\u2019re going to get to Zero Waste by 2040, which is the city\u2019s goal, then we have to, as a population, make steps towards getting there,\u201d said Pridgen.<\/p>\n
The city says the program only works if people know what to put in the green bins. Food waste, food-soiled paper, pizza boxes and yard trimmings are all compostable. Things like glass and plastic are not.<\/p>\n
Phil and Donna Gosh own\u00a0Organics By Gosh,\u00a0the company contracted by the city to collect the waste and turn it into compost for sale.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe got an amazing place, our environment \u2013 and Austin in particular,\u201d Phil Gosh said, while expressing his excitement to continue participating in the program. \u201cIf we work together we can make it better, and leave it better than when we found it.\u201d<\/p>\n
The city has an\u00a0online map showing which neighbors are currently part of the pilot program, and the ones joining the program on Oct. 2.<\/p>\n