Grocers, hauler and compost facility pilot new collection program
As part of a three-month food waste recycling pilot, six Waukesha area grocery stores, Best Disposal, and S&R Compost are collecting the stores’ food waste and other organic materials for composting.
In only the first month of the pilot, more than 18 tons of compostable material were collected from the six participating stores, which include BKT Sentry Foods-Meadowbrook, BKT Sentry Foods-Fox Run, Jewel Osco, Kohl’s Food Emporium, Pick n’ Save and Rainbow Foods.
As part of the program, employees separate all produce and bakery unfit for sale or donation, produce preparation trimmings and waxed cardboard, according to WasteCap Wisconsin, which is coordinating the program. WasteCap says that 50% or more of a grocery store’s waste is made up of food waste and other organic material.
Store owners have expressed satisfaction with the program, which WasteCap says has economic and environmental benefits. "Overall, we are pleased with the program," said Tom Patzman, one of the owners of BKT Sentry Meadowbrook and Fox Run. "It is not that difficult to separate the materials for composting, and we have already seen a reduction in our regular trash pickup. We are using this cost savings from reduced trash pickups to pay for the composting collection."
The containers are collected twice a week by Milwaukee-based hauler, Best Disposal. "Best Disposal is pleased to participate in this pilot that helps both our community and the environment. It also allows us to gain experience in hauling organics," stated Brad Stendahl, operations manager for the company.
The material is taken to S&R Compost’s facility in Whitewater. S&R Compost already produces large volumes of commercially available compost, but was interested in accepting the food waste to see how the program would work. So far, Frank Schimpf of S&R Compost has been pleased with the material he is receiving, noting that "the material has been free from any major contamination such as plastics or other packaging and is breaking down very well in the compost pile."
Throughout the program, WasteCap Wisconsin is monitoring and tracking the quantities of food waste collected and all associated costs of the program. Currently, the operation is a break-even venture for the stores that are using the cost-savings from reduced compactor pickups to offset the collection costs of the organic materials. However, the stores are committed to the program and are interested in determining the program’s potential for expansion. "As a responsible member of the community, Jewel-Osco is excited to participate in this leading-edge waste recovery program, as it helps us to reach our environmental and community goals," said Tim Lynch, Jewel-Osco director of operations, Wisconsin Area.
The pilot program runs through May 13. A report and cost-analysis will be available from WasteCap Wisconsin at the completion of the pilot program in June.
WasteCap Wisconsin (www.wastecapwi.org) is a statewide, private, nonprofit, organization whose mission is to provide waste reduction and recycling assistance through demonstration, education and networking for the benefit of businesses and the environment.
April 12, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
