New Composting Program Comes to Centre County

There’s a new recycling program coming to Centre County.

This one doesn’t involve the traditional curbside bins that collect cans, bottles, plastic and newspapers. No, this one is aimed at reducing food waste that traditionally heads to landfills. Instead, that waste can be used for composting.

What is composting? Shelly Mato, Refuse and Recycling Program administrator for the Centre Regional Planning Agency, said it’s quite simple.

“Composting is really just speeding up the natural process of decomposition of organic material by being more intentional about the mix of material,” Mato explained. “If you take the right proportion of organic materials that are high in nitrogen, like food and green grass and plants, and mix it with the right proportion of organic material high in carbon, like brown leaves and sawdust, and give it the right amounts of air and water, it decomposes into a very nutrient-rich material called humus. If you add that to any soil, it makes the soil healthier and better able to withstand lack of water.”

In the coming weeks, special trash bins will be placed where food scraps and waste can be dumped. And while the program will be new to most in Centre County, one municipality was already on board with composting.

“State College Borough collects food waste from borough residents who have curbside refuse collection, but the rest of the Centre Region doesn’t,” Mato said.

Now, it will. Mato said that these types of programs are not uncommon.

“Food scraps drop-offs are happening all over the country, from New York City to San Diego, and there are lots of different models as well,” Mato explained. “We are fortunate to have a compost site right here in the Centre Region, so we wanted to provide some way for residents to compost their food waste if they want to.”

The program will not run year-round, Mato said.

“The pilot program will run through October, and afterwards we will analyze participation and the amount diverted from the landfill to evaluate the benefits of establishing permanent drop-off sites,” she said.

There will be five drop-off sites in the county. They will be in Benner, College, Ferguson, Harris and Patton townships. Those interested in composting will have to register for the program.

“We are not limiting who can participate,” Mato said. “So if you live in, work in, shop in or take classes in the Centre Region, you can register and drop off your food scraps at your convenience.”

By registering, it will be easier to track which sites get the most traction.

“We have to know how many people are using it and where they’re from to decide on future sites,” Mato said.

What can be composted? Well, just about anything food related. Food scraps, including vegetables, fruit, dairy, meat, fish and bones. Also on the list are indoor plant cuttings, indoor dead plants, garden trimmings and even pizza boxes.

According to Mato, composting is good in many ways. It’s environmentally friendly, for starters.

“In Pennsylvania, just under 40% of all waste that is landfilled or incinerated is organic waste. Organic waste produces methane as it decays, which is a greenhouse gas … much more harmful to our environment and our health than CO2. Reducing the amount of organic waste sent to our landfill — and all refuse in Centre County goes to a landfill — not only significantly reduces harmful emissions, but preserves landfill space for materials that can’t be recycled and that don’t have any other end use,” Mato said.

There are already two composting facilities in the county — one in State College Borough and another at Penn State.

Mato said the county could truly lead by example.

“(We) will soon have a biodigester as well that will process organic material, so we really should be able to take advantage of our unique position and become a leader in the state in terms of better management of our organic waste,” Mato said.

To register for the program, visit crcog.net/refuse.

“Once someone registers, we send them details on how to collect their material and ways to reduce smells and bugs, a list of what to include and a list of what to leave out, a list of the sites, the exact location of the drop-off sites and a code to be able to access the sites.”

The Centre Region COG Refuse and Recycling Program is partnering with the Centre County Recycling and Refuse Authority and the State College Borough Public Works Department for the pilot program.

“All three have ambitious waste reduction goals, and this is just one of many projects and initiatives we’re working with other area partners to help Centre County residents do just that,” Mato said.