Starting in September, all Seattle apartment and condo dwellers will be required to compost food scraps. If your apartment or condo has any kind of landscaping, there is probably already a yard waste cart. But if you don’t see a food waste cart, you might want to put a bug in your landlord’s ear to visit this page to sign up. The deadline for the ordinance is September 2011.
Food and yard waste composting reduces garbage and greenhouse gases, saves landfill space, and creates compost to enrich the soil of local parks and gardens.
Take advantage of the benefits of composting rather than throwing it all away. Why waste a good thing?
Want to Start Food and Yard Waste Collection Service?
SPU has two weekly collection service options for apartments and condominiums:
- Onsite service (maximum convenience)
- Curbside service (most economical)
If your property doesn’t already have food and yard waste service, ask your property owner or manager to review the Apartment/Condo Owners website and sign up.
Friends of Recycling and Composting (FORCs)
If you are a dedicated recycler, ask your property manager about signing up as a FORC steward. Your property will get a one-time $100 utility bill credit and you will qualify for training as well as enjoy the satisfaction of helping your community and the planet. FORC responsibilities (pdf) include educating residents and reducing contamination.
To qualify for the for the $100 credit, your property must use SPU's food and yard waste collection service. Properties that already have a Friend of Recycling can get another $100 credit by adding SPU's food and waste service and designating a FORC.
What goes in my food and yard waste cart?
All food scraps including fruit, vegetables, yard trimmings, meat, dairy, and fish as well as food-soiled waste like pizza boxes, paper napkins and kitchen paper towels are accepted.
- Use the Food & Yard Waste flyer to help you sort it all out. (14 languages available).
- Or view a video: English | Mandarin | Cantonese | Spanish | Vietnamese
- Cedar Grove has also approved limited compostable food service items (pdf).
How do I store kitchen scraps?
Options include using a reusable container with a lid, approved compostable bags, and wrapping the food scraps in newspaper or a paper bag. No plastic bags or containers are allowed. See these handy tips.
Compost on Your Property
Some properties prefer to make compost at home. This will save money and benefit the environment. However, no dairy or meat products can go into a home pile due to potential odor or animal and pest problems.
Related links
Reduce, Reuse, Exchange - for ways to keep other useful items out of the waste stream
Can I recycle this item? Look It Up!
Play the Where Does It Go? Recycling Game
Cedar Grove Composting - Local processor of yard and food compost materials
Can I recycle this item? Look It Up!
Play the Where Does It Go? Recycling Game
Cedar Grove Composting - Local processor of yard and food compost materials
There are different policies in place when it comes to green homes. Check if you meet the standards.
ReplyDeleteapartment for rent in makati
It's time to make a change in our way of living. I heard some Manila real estate homes passed the standards on green homes.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad there are residences making a change and joining the green advocacy.
ReplyDeletephilly apartments
I agree Karel, there should be more people joining the green cause.
ReplyDeletethailand real estate
I think that'll be a good idea. It would help not only the place but also the environment. I hope that new york condos have this kind of advocacy because I would really love to live there.
ReplyDeleteLook for new homes for sale as well. This is to compare your choices when it comes to real estate.
ReplyDeleteI think this is a great idea! This is an awesome way in helping the environment. Requiring apartment dwellers and homeowners to recycle yard waste is brilliant.
ReplyDeletepost free ads philippines
I just bought a new house courtesy of the homes for sale in Valley Stream NY last year. It is my pleasure to follow this kind of advocacy. Taking good care of the environment will surely give us a better place to live in.
ReplyDeleteI support this kind of advocacy. One of the latest development in waste management is the use of plastics and stones to create pavements as alternatives to cement. I think it's a one great idea to at least save the environment from the dangers of plastics.
ReplyDeleteSand Stabilisation
This is one of the ways that an individual needs to do in order to help clean our environment. If we are going to work hand in hand, the goal will surely be met. A cleaner environment is a better place to stay in as well. I just recently bought a new property in Southport, and I will surely exercise recycling.
ReplyDeleteConveyancing Southport
The apartment dwellers will now need to recycle green waste
ReplyDeleteNew Ponggol Condos
Great effort to recycle the food waste and yard waste.
ReplyDeleteRes Course
I recently came across your blog and have been reading along.I'm impressed. You're truly well informed and very intelligent. You wrote something that people could understand and made the subject intriguing for everyone. I'm saving this for future use. real estate for sale phoenix
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to discuss this, I feel strongly about it and love learning more on this topic. If possible, as you gain expertise,
ReplyDeletereal estate course