Fergus Falls, MN (KBRF) – Otter Tail County Solid Waste has unveiled a new Food Waste Drop Off site in Battle Lake as part of its Organics Recycling Program, aiming to tackle the staggering 40% food waste problem in the United States.
The program offers an accessible solution for residents unable to or preferring not to compost at home, aiding efforts to keep food waste from languishing in landfills.
As opposed to the sealed environment of landfills, composting allows food waste to decompose naturally, benefiting the soil and reducing waste.
The average single-family household can divert around 200 pounds of organic waste annually through composting, depending on their cooking and eating habits.
The pioneering Food Waste Drop Off site at the Recycling Center in Fergus Falls has demonstrated the program’s potential, successfully assisting residents in diverting approximately 300 pounds of food scraps from the trash weekly.
This initiative runs parallel to the commercial routes of the Organics Recycling Program, which collects an impressive 5,000 pounds of food waste per week. All collected organic materials are transported to the Glacial Ridge Compost Facility in Grant County.
Residents wishing to participate in the program must first sign up to receive a starter kit, complete with compostible bags and a kitchen compost pail, along with crucial information about what items are compostible.
These food scraps can then be dropped off at the designated site in compostible or plain brown paper bags.
The program aims to educate and engage locals in effective food waste management, thereby reducing the environmental impact and making better use of resources invested in food production.
To register for a starter kit or to learn more about the program, residents can visit the Otter Tail County website.
By Zakk Daniels / KBRF
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