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Source Separated Organics (SSO) and Your Community. In 2008 Americans generated 250 million tons of trash, but we only composted and recycled 83 million tons for a 33.2% recycling rate.
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In 2008 Americans generated 250 million tons of trash, but we only composted and recycled 83 million tons for a 33.2% recycling rate. Each year we send enough food, yard, and wood waste to landfills and incinerators to fill Giants Stadium more than 50 times The Problem with Organic Waste
Landfill gas, which is 40%-60% methane, contributes to greenhouse emissions Landfills have the potential to contaminate groundwater With the average person in the U.S. generating 4.6 pounds of trash a day, landfills are quickly filling up The Problem with Landfills
Source Separated Organics (SSO) is the system by which waste generators segregate compostable materials from other waste streams at the source for separate collection SSO can be done at the residential, commercial and industrial levels Organic waste collected can be composted or turned into renewable energy The Solution: SSO
Permitted Composting Site Organics Waste Hauler Participation from residents and/or businesses What Do You Need?
Incentives for organics recycling Outreach and education Municipality Support Program Components
Just 1 ton of food scraps diverted prevents 5-6 tons of CO2 from being released into the atmosphere Composting can create high quality soil amendments out of what would have been waste and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers Compost from organic waste enriches soil and promotes a higher yield of agricultural crops Recycling creates green jobs What are the Benefits?
SSO is Spreading Across the U.S. According to an article in the December 2009 issue of BioCycle magazine, almost 100 communities have adopted SSO. We can do it too!
Examples of SSO Events in British Colombia Homes in Iowa Businesses in Seattle Schools in Minnesota
The benefits include: • Lowered costs for waste disposal • Reduced Greenhouse Gas emissions • Less need for landfills • Increased compost and soil amendments We urge you to consider a Source Separated Organics program Thank You