Food Waste Composting
Composting is not a new idea — it has been practiced in various forms for thousands of years. Long before the term "composting" existed, civilizations around the world understood the value of returning organic matter to the earth.
Today, food waste is the single largest category of material sent to landfills, making up as much as 40% of our trash. Separating food waste for composting is an essential step in achieving a more sustainable community.
Benefits of Food Waste Composting
- Diverts waste from landfills
- Reduces methane emissions
- Produces high-quality compost
- Handles a wider range of materials than home composting
Nationally, renewed efforts are sprouting up to turn organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, into a nutrient-rich soil amendment to boost plant growth. Using higher temperatures and specialized management techniques, large-scale composting operations are able to quickly and efficiently break down organic materials (including meat and bones) in a finished compost product.
The finished compost product is then used to improve soil structure in gardens, lawns, and farmlands. Natural compost avoids nutrient runoff pollution issues of chemical fertilizers while increasing water retention and microbial activity.
Residential households and businesses are encouraged to evaluate the waste they are generating and look for opportunities to divert food waste to a higher calling.
Food Waste/Composting Drop Off Options
Sioux Falls is lucky to have composters, such as SoDak Compost, operating in our area. SoDak Compost is a local non-profit community composter, offering two local food waste drop-off locations:
Please note: Participants are asked to consider a small donation when regularly dropping off materials for composting, and drop-off hours are reduced in the winter months.
Food Waste/Compost Collection Options
Although food waste subscription collection services have launched in many places, this service has yet to establish a foothold in Sioux Falls.
For high-volume food waste generators — such as food manufacturers, grocery stores, and restaurants — as much as 50% of their waste stream consists of food waste. Schools, institutions, and the hospitality industry can also produce significant amounts of food waste.