Food Waste Banner

Did you know that over 14% of the trash we send to the Springfield Noble Hill Sanitary landfill is wasted food? Environmental Services is dedicated to minimizing the amount of food and organic waste being sent to the landfill by working with community members to stretch our available food resources and repurpose organic waste into compost. 


The Problem

Food waste is a huge issue because uneaten food and other organic materials like yard waste and paper towels ending up in landfills generate nearly 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. This happens when organic material like food waste enters a landfill where it is compacted, decomposing without oxygen which creates methane.

But your leftover food doesn't have to end up in the landfill! Instead, give it a second life as compost - a chemical free natural fertilizer for plants.

Food Waste Programs 

Check out what ES has “cooking” to reduce food waste throughout the community.  

 

HOME COMPOSTING – 

This program provides community members with compost training and the materials to get started in their own backyards.  

 

VERMICOMPOSTING NEW – 

COMING SOON!  This program will teach community members to compost using worms! Perfect for those with limited outdoor space.  

 

FOOD SCRAPS RECYCLING PILOT – 

This residential pilot program will be available to 1,000 community members to collect their food waste from home and drop it off at area recycling centers to be turned into compost.  

 


We recognize that food waste is a multi-faceted issue with partners across the community working to reduce the amount of food going uneaten and sent to the landfill. These partners include:  

 

  • OZARKS FOOD HARVEST  

  • SPRINGFIELD COMMUNITY GARDENS  

  • COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP OF THE OZARKS FOOD COLLABORATIVE