Cleveland Businesses Begin Food Composting

Businesses in downtown Cleveland have begun a large-scale food composting initiative, according to a report in The Plain Dealer. Restaurants, local sports teams and offices have begun separating food waste for reclamation by composting companies, which can then convert the waste into a soil additive.

The movement, still in its early stages, follows a pilot program in November in which eight city businesses collected nine tons of waste over a three-week period, in coordination with the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and Entrepreneurs for Sustainability. The businesses contracted with ARAMARK to haul away the compost.

Now, sports teams like the Cavaliers and Browns plan to compost their biodegradeable waste starting with the 2010-2011 season, while the Indians are still searching for a composting contractor.

According to one participant quoted in the article, the composting initiative will eventually lead to cost savings once enough companies join the program and central pick-up routes can be established, driving economies of scale.