All ReWorks Updates - Newsletter Articles

In 2016, ReWorks’ food scrap compost program developed into the Grow Green Food Scrap Compost Giveaway. From that year forward, Summit County community gardens have been able to apply to this program. Gardens are selected randomly from those that apply and each selected community garden receives 8 cubic yards of food scrap compost delivered to their garden at no cost to them. ReWorks purchases this food scrap compost from an Ohio EPA class II licensed compost facility and funds the delivery of the food scrap compost as well.

Click here to get details on the program and for images showcasing the community gardens. 

The deadline to apply for is this coming Friday, April 9, 2021.  The registration takes a few minutes, and as a reminder ReWorks funds this program - the food scrap compost and the delivery of this material is at no cost to the community gardens that receive this.  Again, here is the link for more details and the application. 

There are many reasons why we feel strongly about providing food scrap compost to local gardens.  One reason is that many community gardens need soil enrichment to help their plants to grow vibrant and nutritious food.  Another reason is related to where the food scrap compost comes from.

We all wish to reduce how much food is wasted and certainly divert food waste and scraps from landfills.  But to do that, there must be places that can actually compost the food waste and scraps.  We hope that this program not only recognizes the work of these community gardens, but also helps build awareness of how important having infrastructure that supports the composting of food waste/scraps is. 

If you are not able to compost at home, but are still interested in having food waste and scraps from your home to be diverted from the landfill, check out these options:

• How to include composting at Community Gardens 
• Food waste Collection Services

For those who are interested in learning more about composting at home, click here for our guide.

2020 was certainly a year that has impacted us all in many ways.  While there were some changes to the ReWorks’ schedule last year, our Household Hazardous Waste Recycling Center (HHWRC) was able to be operational each of its scheduled days.  We appreciate the technical crews and the efforts of all involved to accomplish a feat like that.  Document Shredding and Recycling Events also went smoothly and set a record for the most material collected. 

 Additionally, we also appreciate those Summit County residents who utilized our services.  By keeping updated to changes and working with our guidelines, you helped us provide an environment that had efficiency and safety go hand-in-hand.

As a reminder, when you utilize our programs and services this year, we would like for you to keep these tips in your mind.

• Place all materials in your vehicle’s trunk or the back of your truck/SUV.  
• Containers (buckets, boxes, as well as gas containers) may not be returned. Please keep this in mind when packing your materials.
• As always, please remain in your vehicle.

For more specifics and to keep up-to-date with any changes, please visit:  https://www.summitreworks.com/252/COVID-19-Instructions

As always, thank you for taking the time to read this and feel free to share these tips with your friends and neighbors.

In the fall, leaves make up a significant portion of the composition of yard waste. ReWorks, being the solid waste management authority for all of Summit County, is charged with managing and reducing what goes into our landfills. Composting yard waste is one way to reduce our landfill use. And of course, it has the added benefit of keeping nutrients available for plants, trees, soil microbes, and fungi. Visit www.summitreworks.com/yardwaste for tips and information for managing yard waste.

For the past few years, we have had a program called ‘cREate Works” which harnesses the power of art to share the message of “Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.” In 2020, the focus of cREate Works was “Reframing Recycling,” which had local photographers use the theme of transformation to photograph and to transform common, everyday recyclables into art.

Recycling is served best only when items that have an end use are placed into our home curbside recycling carts. Recycling can then do its job of transforming that old plastic laundry detergent bottle or flattened cardboard box into a new product.

We hope that this art project, “Reframing Recycling” shares the message that to help recycling, it is best to only place materials in our recycling carts at home that have an end use and therefore can be transformed.


Soon there will be a short video that you’ll see on various platforms sharing the visual perspective of these artists addressing the transformation of recycling.

Location: Betty Jane Community Learning Center
Address: 444 Darrow Road, Akron OH 44305
Landmarks: Darrow Road is also known as State Route 91. Betty Jane Community Learning Center is a school approximately 1 mile SOUTH of Tallmadge Circle. If arriving from the circle, the school will be on your right.
Keep in mind: Still following the procedures for COVID-19.
• File boxes and cardboard boxes will not be returned. Your boxes will be collected and recycled.
• Place documents in cardboard boxes, files boxes or paper bags only
• No plastic containers
• Place all documents in vehicle trunks or truck beds only
• Do not place personal belongings by your documents
• Do not hand documents to the event staff
• Reminder: you must remain in your vehicle at all times
For more details, please visit: www.summitreworks.com/shredding