Scrap Food Program Launched in Davis

Recycling was a term I thought I was familiar with. Cardboard and paper get separated from glass and plastic. It was all pretty basic. But there is more that can be done. What happens to that tea bag you throw away or the leftover food that you just can’t finish at your favourite local eatery?

Caffe Italia staff have their composting procedure dialed in.

Earlier this month the Commercial Food Scrap Collection Pilot (CFSCP) was launched among a diverse group of Davis businesses. Nearly twenty local businesses have taken it upon themselves to reduce waste by composting all of their food scraps. The scheme has currently been running for a week and a half.

Commercial food scraps are collected in separate carts by businesses and picked up twice a week (Mondays and Fridays). The scraps, which include plate scrapings, fruit and vegetable trimmings, coffee grinds and filters, tea bags and food soiled paper, are then composted rather than taking up scarce space at the Yolo County landfill.

The Davis Recycling Program and Davis Waste Removal (DWR) have been working together to get the project up and running to further enable the city to reach its environment and sustainability goals.

Shar Katz, owner of Caffé Italia, spearheaded the program liaising with DWR and local businesses to get the pilot off the ground. The scheme has had some setbacks, including two missed start dates, but now it is under way she couldn’t be more delighted.

For Katz and Caffé Italia it was ‘easy to flip the switch’ to food scraps composting as they had been making moves towards composting since October 2010. She claims that joining scheme is ‘not difficult’ for other businesses but admits there are still some small areas that need to be ironed out, particularly concerning businesses that share trash containers.

Despite still being in the initial stages of the scheme, early successes have been seen. A report from Zamora (the composting facility where scraps are sent) noted that the first delivery from Davis Waste was the cleanest they’ve had with no contamination.

This early success has boosted Katz and others behind the pilot scheme and they are hoping it will continue to grow in the coming weeks and months. Admitting that this is ‘new territory for everyone’ Katz is more than willing to aid other businesses as they make the transition to food scraps composting. The aim following the pilot period is to get the scheme mandated by the City.

Whilst the scheme is currently for commercial businesses only, the rest of us can get involved. Encouraging your favourite restaurants and local businesses to join the pilot program will increase the possibility of making food scraps composting a permanent feature in Davis. There is also nothing stopping you composting your own food scraps at home.

Food scraps composting is not only better for the environment but may see some businesses’ trash volume decrease and therefore reduce costs on waste disposal. The pilot scheme will run until December 31^st and will be re-evaluated in 2012.

For more information on food scrap composting click here or contact Shar Katz directly at shar@dancingtomato.com or on (916) 834-7083.

If your business would like to get involved contact DWR on 756-4646 to enroll. The food scraps cart  will be delivered to participants for the same cost as an regular trash cart.

Full list of businesses currently participating:

• Blue Oak Energy
• Caffé Italia
• Ciocolat
• Davis Farmers Market
• Davis Food Co-Op
• Davis Joint Unified School District Student Nutrition Services
• Delta of Venus
• Dos Coyotes (North and South Davis)
• Natural Food Works & Farmers Kitchen
• Hallmark Inn
• Mustard Seed Restaurant
• Nugget Market
• Seasons Restaurant
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Tres Hermanas
• Village Bakery
• Village Pizza and Grill