WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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The Monroe County Solid Waste Management District Board continues to explore composting as a way to reduce the trash sent to landfills.
The board met with area trash and compost haulers, last week. The talks were part of an ongoing discussion about whether to expand residential pickup, explore commercial options, or create drop off sites. Solid Waste Management Director Tom McGlasson, Jr. said a 2018 report from Kessler Consulting revealed 8,000-10,000 tons of food could be diverted from local landfills, through composting.
Haulers say basic issues like what containers to use, and how and where to haul the waste, will need to be decided, but the overarching concern is how to keep waste streams separated and clean. Haulers find plastics and metals in food waste, and rotting food among recyclables. Calvin Davidson of Ray’s Trash Service recommended the Board focus its initial efforts on post-industrial waste, rather than post consumer waste.
Fable Farms owner Andrea Avena said accepting food waste on the scale Davidson proposed could mean she has to significantly alter her composting mix. Avena said though industrial waste items may be cleaner, some industrial waste items will never be acceptable for her company.
The City of Bloomington has allowed private composters to serve households on its sanitation routes. Public Works Director Adam Wason said there may be other ways the city can accommodate composting. No decisions were made, at last week’s meeting. Solid Waste Management Director Tom McGlasson Jr. said the Board will continue to explore composting and recycling options.
