TRAVERSE CITY - The city is launching a new pilot project that will help the city continue its composting efforts.
This project focuses on food waste and organic materials that can be used to make nutrient soil.
Traverse City has already had composting projects in place that include leaf and brush pick-up. But now it’s expanding to try something new.
“It’s just another continuation of the city’s efforts to be environmentally conscious. As well as kind of ahead of the curve for communities of our size in leading by example of what we can do to help out both the world and our community. On the smaller scale,” says Traverse City Mayor Amy Shamroe.
The city has already offered select businesses and people who live in the city the option for food waste pick up.
“I think the plan is that if this is successful we’ll figure out how to make it larger and bigger in scope. Obviously, funds are not limitless. So, this is a great place to start and a great scope to start with so that it’s manageable for the teams that are helping right now,” continues Shamroe.
The project is made possible with the help of a grant from the United States Department Of Agriculture, and with the help of partners like SEEDS Ecology and Education Centers in Traverse City.
“Currently, 38% of what we throw away is material that, under different circumstances, could be composted and turned back into soil. Instead, what happens in the landfill is that material, gets in an environment that has no oxygen and anaerobic environment, and it, turns into methane, which is a highly potent greenhouse gas,” says Sarna Salzman Seeds Executive Director.
Along with the potential to limit greenhouse gases within the city, there will be other benefits.
“It’s going to let them experiment with accepting food scraps into that composting system, which will allow them to start learning how to make, more, nutrient dense soil amendments. That material will go to serve green spaces across the city, including city parks, but also things like community gardens, and, and other, stormwater management projects and things like that over time.”
There will be a ribbon-cutting ceremony on September 19th where the public is welcome to learn about the project and composting.