WLSSD Food Scraps Drop Sites Available, Community Input Needed For More Locations

DULUTH, Minn. — Food waste is about 20% of the garbage we throw away, according to the Western Lake Superior Sanitary District.

That’s why the organization is hoping to keep food waste out of the landfill and use it for its benefits. WLSSD says when food scraps are put in the landfill it can create a greenhouse gas so, keeping scraps out of the landfill will reduce those emissions from the environment.

To help out they created the Community Food Scraps Drop Sites program where people can separate their food scraps at home and drop them off at a site in the community.

“Some things that can go in there of course are vegetables and fruit scraps. Also, some things that you wouldn’t normally put in your backyard composting system like dairy products, meat products, bones will break down in our system, eggshells, all the things that are coming out of your kitchen that were involved in meal prep can go into the food scraps drop sites. Also, coffee grounds and the filters that they’re in so, those are actually really beneficial in compost and can go in there as well,” said Dori Decker, Environmental Program Coordinator.

The drop sites are gaining momentum. Currently there are 10 total drop sites in the community with hopes to add 5 more. And people are excited about it.

“I think people just recognize the benefits of diverting food scraps. Not only you know for reducing their own garbage and odors, but also, they want to make an environmental impact,” said Decker.

WLSSD turns all of the food scraps into compost. If you’d like to share an idea of where you think a drop site could go reach out to WLSSD. To participate in the program, go to their website for more information.