Kalamazoo has initiated a pilot Food Scrap Recycling Program that is taking aim at the abundance of organic waste funneling into local landfills. The city announced the launch of the program, which will run through the rest of the year, to provide residents with a more accessible route to recycling their food scraps and other compostable items.
Chris Broadbent, the solid waste coordinator for Kalamazoo, told WOOD TV, “Food waste may seem small, but it adds up quickly." Emphasizing the program's environmental benefits, Broadbent noted, “When we keep it out of landfills, we can compost the materials, enrich our soils for future plants to grow, and make real progress toward a cleaner, healthier environment.”
The city has made drop-off sites available at 322 E. Stockbridge Ave., the Edison Neighborhood Association at 816 Washington Ave., and the Vine Neighborhood Association at 806 S Westnedge Ave., as reported by WWMT. Kalamazoo officials have included a whitelist of acceptable materials for the program, which is extensive, including fruits and vegetables, seafood, meat, bones, dairy, grains, and other organic materials like coffee grounds and BPI-certified compostable products.
Strict guidelines are in place to ensure that materials like plastic bags and containers, pet waste, and non-compostable containers such as glass and metal do not contaminate the organic waste stream. Regular paper or cardboard, unless soiled by food, are also on the list of non-acceptable items, as per the WKZO. Residents are advised not to mix the food scraps with traditional curbside recycling materials.
