Food Scrap Composting

The Missing Piece of Zero Waste:

Renee RobertsonCity of San DiegoFebruary 24, 2010

Snap shot of food waste in California

Prioritizing diversion programs Zero waste approach Starting a food waste diversion

program Other zero waste alternatives

= Composting facility currently accepting food waste

139,758 139,758 tons/yeartons/year

Commercial: 51,000 tons

Single Family: 50,000 tons

Multi-Family: 32,000 tons

End goal is not merely diversion, but the re-creation of waste in to valuable products

Compost Mulch Wood Chips

ReduceDestination Facility In-House CollectionStorage & Hauling

ReduceDestination Facility In-House CollectionStorage & Hauling

ReduceDestination FacilityIn-House CollectionStorage & Hauling

ReduceDestination Facility In-House CollectionStorage & Hauling

Source separated, un-bagged food scraps

Water tight “end dump” container Zero contamination Loads not older than 10 days Food scraps only - no paper,

biodegradable plates, cups, or utensils No waxed cardboard

Choosing pre and/or post consumer streams

Colored & labeled collection containers

Staff training & education

Posters & signs using your own pictures

Enclosed container to reduce vectors & odors

Connection to sewer line

Area to rinse out collection containers

Drain covers to capture food scraps

Mechanical arm to empty 32 gal. containers

Animal feed Food donation Anaerobic digestion Vermicomposting

Renee RobertsonRecycling Specialist

[email protected]