Posted on April 2, 2021 at 4:49 PM by Mila Susnjar
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:
For those who are interested in learning more about composting at home, click here for our guide.
Posted on January 26, 2021 at 2:37 PM by Mila Susnjar
As you know, ReWorks is the solid waste management authority for Summit County. Our mission is to monitor and reduce our county’s reliance on landfills. Many of you are also aware that food waste is a concern not only due to food insecurity our communities face or the impact on resources used to produce the food, but also the impact food waste has in our landfills.
Many of you responded to our survey last month and we would like to share some information and an update on this topic.
What are food scraps? – These are generally considered the inedible portions of food. This could be coffee grounds, cantaloupe rinds, eggshells, etc. These inedible portions of food should not be placed in our landfills. It is best to compost these.
What is food waste? – Food that could have been eaten – but was not eaten before it no longer was safe or palatable for human consumption. This could be food that had rotted, food that was prepared in excess of what was needed, or food that was improperly prepared (burnt, dried out, etc.) Food waste should not be placed in our landfills.
According to the U.S. EPA Food Recovery Hierarchy chart (pictured above) reducing the amount of food wasted is the most preferred method to managing food waste. ReWorks follows this food recover hierarchy and supports methods and projects that prevent food waste.
One of the questions we asked during the survey was what topics were the most important to you. The two topics that garnered the most interest were: compost drop-offs (23.7%) and compost collection services (23%).
We were able to bring together your suggestions with projects we have been working on. Our website has a new page, that has some information many of you will be happy to see.
Food Waste Collection Services
Food Waste Collection Services - this web page consists of questions you can ask food waste collection vendors when you contact them to inquire about services. This page also provides the names and contact information for these services. ReWorks strongly suggests that residents who contact these food waste collection services ask for references and check them out before employing the use of such services. The Better Business Bureau may also be contacted
Posted on December 10, 2020 at 4:28 PM by Mila Susnjar
Last month we mentioned that ReWorks is not the only solid waste management authority/district in Ohio. We all share the same goal – to reduce and manage what goes to landfills – but often we accomplish this goal with different services and programs.
Over the last few years, ReWorks has been working on solutions and sharing information about food waste with other solid waste management authorities/districts from all over the state. Building and sharing a similar message creates unity and lays a strong foundation for any message. Food waste as you most likely know is a significant contributor to landfills.
You might have recently seen some ads with the message “Save More Than Food.” The Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO) created this campaign that we are sharing with residents of Summit County. It has been in Summit County newspapers, social media ads and posts, as well as articles.
Our plans for the next few years include dealing with food waste – on many different levels. Since ReWorks serves Summit County residents (i.e. you!) we would like to hear your opinion. We have a survey (approximately 6 questions) that we anticipate would take about 4-5 minutes of your time. Your answers are anonymous and will only be used to help us craft resources, services, and programs for you.
Here's the link to the survey to help!
Posted on September 4, 2020 at 5:32 PM by Jacob Smith
So, we thought we'd share with you how 2017's Grow Green Food Scrap Compost Giveaway winners did with their gardens. Recipients from 2017 included:
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Posted on September 4, 2020 at 12:05 PM by Jacob Smith
We've all read in the news about food waste. What resources were consumed to produce wasted food, how food in landfills contributes to methane emissions, and that despite all this excess food, how 42 million Americans live with food insecurity.
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Tag(s): wasted food, waste, use by, USDA, US EPA, sell by, reduction, prevent, methane, meal planning, insecurity, food waste, food loss, food, best by
Posted on September 3, 2020 at 12:40 PM by Jacob Smith
ReWorks goal is to reduce what goes to our landfills. One such way to do this, is to reduce food scrap and food waste from going to the landfill.
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Tag(s): US EPA, leftovers, landfill, Joannna House II Community, Grow Green, giveaway, garden, food scrap, food recover hierarchy, compost, community garden, Case Barlow Farms, Callis Towers Community Garden