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Food Waste Drop off Program
Food Waste Drop Off
To help reduce the amount of food waste being sent to landfills, the City of Bowling Green has a Food Waste Drop Off. The Drop Off became available to Bowling Green residents on March 26, 2021. 64-gallon containers are located behind the Public Works garage, near the public Yard Waste Drop Off, on Tarragon Drive. The area is clearly marked with signs identifying where to drop off residential food waste and brochures are available listing the accepted materials and program guidelines.
Food waste can not be left in the yard waste collection area and yard waste can not be left in the food waste area. All food waste collected will be taken to a certified facility to be composted. Those using this service are encouraged to review the list of accepted items below to minimize the amount of contamination.
Accepted
- Baked goods and pasta
- Beans and eggs
- Fats and sugars
- Fruits and veggies
- Greasy pizza boxes
- Paper towels and napkins (unlined paper items)
- Raw/cooked meat, bones and dairy
Not Accepted
- Electronics
- Healthcare products
- Pet waste
- Plastic bags
- Stone, glass, and metal
- Styrofoam
- Traditional plastics
No Plastic Bags!
Residents are encouraged to use a lidded bucket to transport household food waste to the site. Residents may use any bucket or container they choose. To help launch the program, 5-gallon buckets with lids will be distributed to the first 350 residents who request one. The buckets will contain educational materials and a label displaying the list of acceptable food waste. In return, these residents will be asked periodically for feedback on the pilot program.
To request a bucket and/or a label, call 419-354-6222 or send us an email.
Businesses
The City's Pilot Food Waste Drop Off has been designed to accept residential quantities of food waste only and is only open to Bowling Green residents. Businesses, who are interested in collecting and composting food waste, should contact GoZero directly to discuss options.
Reduce Your Food Waste
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that in 2018 alone, more than 63 million tons of food was wasted, and about 40% of that came from households. This estimate represents the single largest material in our everyday trash being sent to landfills and combustion facilities in the United States (per the EPA Sustainable Food Management page). The best thing we all can do to reduce the amount of food being landfilled, is to reduce the waste to begin with. Individuals are encouraged to reduce the amount of food waste created by reviewing their purchasing and food preparation habits. A great resource for starting this process is the Save the Food website.
Compost in Place
Residents should also consider composting at their home (if able). This can be done by purchasing an outdoor compost bin or an indoor vermicomposting unit, or by selecting another appropriate method suitable to their living arrangement. Composting in place is more sustainable than a drop off or curbside program because it minimizes the need for transport. The City has educational resources available to help residents understand how to start this process.