Food Waste Recycling by Seattleites Increases by 47 Percent in One Year

SEATTLE, April 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The amount of food scraps recycled by Seattle residents increased by an amazing 47 percent in 2009, thanks to new weekly collection contracts and extraordinary customer participation. This puts Seattle's recycling of food waste at approximately 10 times the national average.

To thank customers for their efforts, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and Cedar Grove Composting are announcing a special campaign called Compost Days. From April 15 through May 30, Seattle residents will be given two free bags of Cedar Grove compost and free Green Kitchen Kits.

Coupons for the free compost and the kitchen kits were distributed through SPU's CurbWaste & Conserve Newsletter in late March. Coupons will also be available in Pacific Northwest Magazine and the Sunday Seattle Times during late April and May. If that's not enough compost to get the whole garden going, local retailers will also be getting into the game with discounts on additional bags or bulk loads of compost.

"The City of Seattle would like to congratulate residents for substantially increasing the amount of food they recycle," said Tim Croll, SPU Solid Waste Director. "On any given week, more than half of Seattle subscribers are putting their food and yard waste carts out for collection. By turning our food waste into compost we are keeping Seattle's gardens, yards and parks green and healthy."

In 2009, Seattle residents turned more than 89,000 tons of organics into earth-friendly compost through food waste collection, backyard composting and grasscycling. More than 26,000 tons of food waste was collected at the curb and returned back to local gardens, instead of going to the landfill. Food waste made up about 20 percent of the 400,000 tons of garbage Seattle sent to the landfill in 2008.

Compost helps minimize water usage and adds beneficial microbes, nutrients and structure to the soil that help grow stronger, healthier flowers, plants and vegetables. It also helps prevent erosion and protects Seattle's rivers, lakes and watersheds from pollutants.

"Cedar Grove is happy to partner with Seattle Public Utilities in thanking Seattle residents for their increased efforts around food scrap recycling," said Steve Banchero, CEO of Cedar Grove Composting. "We hope that through this effort, more area businesses and residents will see the benefits that our compost products can offer for creating more sustainable gardens through less water usage, carbon sequestration and reduction of green house gas emissions. The completion of the sustainable recycling loop is critical to the success of our partnership together."

Cedar Grove Composting has been composting Seattle's yard waste for almost 20 years, and now handles yard and food waste collected from cities and counties all around Puget Sound. Cedar Grove is one of the largest composting facilities in the U.S., and the sole facility handling all the food waste in the immediate Seattle area.  

Through May 30, Seattle residents can redeem their compost coupons at the following locations:

• South Transfer Station, 8105 Fifth Ave. S., Seattle: Sunday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• Seattle Conservation Corps, 7400 Sandpoint Way, Seattle: Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Residents can also redeem coupons at compost giveaway events on Saturday mornings at various locations throughout city neighborhoods.  

While supplies last, coupons for free Green Kitchen Kits, which feature an EcoSafe Kitchen Collector and compostable bags for storing food scraps, a food scraper, a CFL light bulb and a reusable shopping bag, can be redeemed at SPU Neighborhood Service Centers. Visit http://atyourservice.seattle.gov or call 206-684-3000 for locations and details.

Check www.cgcompost.com or call 206-684-3000 for more information.

About Cedar Grove Composting

Cedar Grove Composting is part of a family-owned 400-employee enterprise with roots in the waste management business going back to 1938.  As the Pacific Northwest's leading organic recycling company, Cedar Grove transforms grass, leaves, yard trimmings, food waste and wood waste into the finest, nutrient-rich compost.  Cedar Grove has developed a full line of healthy soils with a loyal following and has grown from humble beginnings to one of the largest urban composting facilities in the world.

SOURCE Cedar Grove Composting