Phoenix is collecting more food waste at City Hall, thanks to special bins placed in employee breakrooms.
The white containers look like a bin you’d find in a residential kitchen. But these bins shrink scraps and leftovers by 80% with no odors.
Amanda Jordan, circular economy project manager with Phoenix Public Works, said 25 food recyclers have been in two city buildings since January.
“Within one week, 645 pounds of food had been diverted, which is just under one pound daily per bin,” she said. “Nearly 4,000 times the lids have been opened, so about six and a half per day.”
The city has partnered with Mill, a national company that sells food recycling systems, and R. City, a local service that collects the waste and uses it as compost on Valley farms. The program is available to residents for about $35 a month.
For people who want to compost at home, the city offers composting bins constructed from old garbage cans for $5 each. They’re available at Phoenix transfer stations. For more information, email [email protected] with your name, phone number and address, and a representative will contact you.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The story has been updated to correct Amanda Jordan’s name.
