Archive: Around Town

Food scraps recycling has taken hold in Tompkins County, with the Solid Waste Division recently reaching the 2500 mark in the number of tool kits distributed to residents. Additional plans this year include the opening of a seventh residential drop spot for the East Hill area of Ithaca, as well as improvements at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center.

Solid Waste Division Manager Barbara Eckstrom applauds residents for the enthusiasm they've shown in embracing another source of waste diversion. "As we've said, food scraps recycling is the 'next frontier,' and through our efforts at making it clean, comfortable and convenient, we're seeing participation continue to grow," said Eckstrom.

The County offers – at no cost to users – a countertop kitchen caddy, compostable bags, educational materials and a transport container. These tool kits are available at the Solid Waste Division office or at any of the drop spot locations. They've also been handed out at several community events this summer.

Data collected through July shows the six current drop spots in Ithaca, Lansing, Dryden, Cayuga Heights and Trumansburg have diverted 100 tons of organic material and compostable paper from the landfill in 2015.

The material collected is processed by Cayuga Compost in Trumansburg and marketed as a soil amendment to landscapers, farmers and homeowners.

This fall, a new bay will be constructed for the residential food scraps drop off area at the Recycling and Solid Waste Center (RSWC). On Tuesday night, the County Legislature awarded McPherson Builders of Ithaca the contract for the project, which will also include an area to dispose of Fats, Oils & Grease (FOG), and additional parking to improve customer safety. Eckstrom says it's anticipated the work will be completed by Thanksgiving, "just in time to accept turkey bones and cooking grease."

Use of the food scraps drop off area of the RSWC has increased dramatically in the last two years, seeing upwards of 1,000 visitors a month, and collecting over 10 tons of material per month.

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