10/31/2023
Food waste is an on-going issue locally and on a national level. Food waste is a waste of valuable resources and a major contributor to methane gas emissions from landfills. Methane gas is a major contributor to climate change, being on the order of 20X more heat-trapping than carbon dioxide.
There are no options for food waste pick up to haul this material to a compost site in Ogle County. We cannot rely on waste haulers for this service, it is up to all of us.
With holiday entertaining on the horizon, let's reduce food waste this year here in Ogle County!
Prevention: plan meals and school lunches accordingly to avoid excess waste, then store and use all leftovers in a timely fashion. Shop smart, and check to see what you already have in the house before buying additional food. Always take home leftovers from eating out, try to bring a reusable container if possible too!
Composting: start a back yard compost pile, this is recycling food waste into usable compost for your garden. These are easy to build and maintain, and can accept all fruit/veggie trimmings and wastes, egg shells, coffee grounds, and house plants, grass clippings, leaves, and twigs.
Food waste is a waste of agricultural efforts, water resources, fuel resources, and is truly unfortunate considering how many go without. Do what you can to eliminate food waste this holiday season any beyond!
