Timbercreek Composting
Food waste is a pervasive environmental issue in our world today. Americans alone throw away more than 20%, equivalent to 25.9 million tons, of food that is produced for domestic consumption.1 This waste, once collected, is usually sent to a landfill, where it sits for extended periods, sometimes years, releasing methane gas into the atmosphere. Studies reveal that the methane that is released when food rots is 20 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.2 Studies also show that 34% of the methane that is released into the atmosphere comes from landfills.3 If the amount of this waste is reduced significantly, it could have a very significant influence on the global warming problem. Several locally owned restaurants were contacted to gauge interest in the service and it was determined that there was enough interest to move forward with the project. The next steps for success are to distribute the pamphlets and talk to local business owners in order to get them on board with the program. Other measures will also be taken out to get the word out to the greater Charlottesville community, including University of Virginia students.
Timbercreek Composting, Charlottesville, food, waste, food waste, composting, University of Virginia, sustainability, restaurants, local food waste
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Timbercreek Composting

Timbercreek Composting (click PDF) Fall 2010 Team members: Shannon Page, Mallory Walker The problem of food waste is one that needs to be combatted. Restaurants generate an unbelievable amount of waste, which simply sits in a landfill decaying and releasing harmful methane gas into the atmosphere. Over 20% of food that is produced in the United States falls into this category. The purpose of this study is to help mitigate this problem by providing other alternatives for this food waste. Organic waste can be reused in the form of compost. Once broken down, this compost can be used for fertilizer. Several locally owned restaurants were contacted to gauge interest in the service and it was determined that there was enough interest to move forward with the project. The next steps for success are to distribute the pamphlets and talk to local business owners in order to get them on board with the program. Other measures will also be taken out to get the word out to the greater Charlottesville community, including University of Virginia students.