Monroe County is gearing up to create a fresh 10-year plan for managing waste and recycling. A big focus will be on keeping food scraps and organic waste out of landfills.
Recently, during a meeting of the county’s Environment and Public Works Committee, Legislator Sue Hughes Smith asked about including ideas from a circular economy. This could involve composting or using anaerobic digestion for organic waste. Michael Garland, the county’s environmental services director, mentioned that they would hold public meetings to gather community input. He expects that organic waste management will be a hot topic.
As the plan develops, specific goals and metrics will be set. It must also comply with state laws that require businesses like restaurants and grocery stores to donate leftover food and recycle waste. The New York Department of Environmental Conservation underscores the importance of waste reduction and organics recycling, which will play a significant part in the county’s plan.
Monroe’s last solid waste plan was approved in 2015. Back then, it primarily addressed yard waste and backyard composting. Since then, interest in food scrap recycling has risen. The county has even granted local schools funds to help with waste reduction initiatives.
One notable project is in Pittsford, where residents collect food scraps for recycling. These scraps are processed in an anaerobic digester to produce electricity. This program has a full roster of participants, signaling strong community interest.
Rochester has also launched its food waste drop-off program, which began with 1,000 participants and now boasts about 2,300. In just four years, the program has collected over 468 tons of food waste, diverting it from landfills to composting facilities. Karen St. Aubin, the city’s operations director, noted the rapid growth and ongoing interest, fueled by word of mouth and online outreach.
County legislators are considering hiring Barton and Loguidice to assist with the new plan, as they previously did for the 2015 version. Officials aim to complete the updated waste management plan by late 2027.
The rise in food waste recycling parallels a nationwide trend. According to a recent report from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food waste is the largest component of solid waste in U.S. landfills. Implementing better waste management practices not only helps the environment but also addresses issues like greenhouse gas emissions, with methane from decomposing organic waste being a significant contributor.
Monitoring these trends is essential as communities strive for stronger sustainability practices. The more we work together, the more we can reduce waste and create a positive impact on our environment.
For more information on waste management and recycling practices, check out the EPA’s food recovery hierarchy.
