GREENSBORO, N.C. — You probably don't think twice when you throw out an item like this, an old lime or vegetable that's going bad. but did you know that most of the food you leave uneaten if it's not composted it goes to a landfill which is not good for our environment.
Well, there's a Triad collection program that is hoping to make a change.
Driving along 400 W Radiance Dr. in Greensboro, you'll find a green bin, but this can isn't holding trash instead it's collecting food waste.
"It's good to know and try to be as eco-conscious as we can," Dr. Shree Dorestant, Chief Sustainability Officer for the city of Greensboro, said.
"You know, in nature. nothing is wasted," Steve Tate, member of the Congregational United Church of Christ (CUCC).
Both the city and The Congregational United Church of Christ are coming together to help the environment.
The church will serve as a second drop-off location for the community's compost.
What is Compost?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, compost collects and stores plant material so it can decay and be added to soil to improve its quality.
It's all apart of the city's food waste collection program—an effort that was piloted in October last year.
According to Feeding America, close to 80 million tons of food go to waste every year in the United States. much of them end in a landfill, which can produce harmful gases to the environment.
The alarming trend is being seen in our area.
"For 2023, there were about close to 6,000 pounds of waste collected through the food waste pilot program and then this January and February alone it was over 6,000 pounds," Dorestant said.
Don't let the numbers scare you, anyone can help reduce food waste and it all starts with what you throw away.
“We are incredibly proud of the Food Waste Collection program, and excited to extend the program to a new location to reach more residents. In 2023, the pilot program diverted 2.7 tons of waste from the landfill, saving an estimated 2.34 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions," Dr. Dorestant said. “We expect the program to grow even more in the coming year.”
Acceptable Items for Food Waste
The compost bin will take things like meats, veggies, and shellfish. You put it in a compostable bag, bring it to the bin, and toss it in. Other items include:
- Certified compostable serveware
- Dairy
- Eggshells
- Fruits and vegetables
- Meat, including bones
- Shellfish, including shells
- Unbleached coffee filters
- Unbleached paper towels
The waste is then composted by Triad Compost Service.
The city and the community are doing their part to help reduce their carbon footprint.
"There are some small practical things that you can do that can make a big difference," Tate said.
"Why not collect your food waste and take it where we are returning it back to Mother Earth?," Dorestant said.
To participate in the program, look for the green-labeled carts at each drop-off location. For more information, visit the City’s webpage or tap HERE.