Bigelow Tea

Composting at Bigelow Tea

We recently instituted a composting program in our Fairfield employee cafeteria, and are now composting 12 tons per year, significantly contributing to our zero waste to the landfill. Here is how the program works. Three bins are placed in the cafeteria

• one bin houses our mixed recyclables as part of our single stream recycling program
• one bin houses "compactable" waste and is marked "TRASH"
• one bin holds "compostable" waste and is marked "COMPOST

The material that will be put in the "COMPOST" bin is biodegradable and is capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other biological means. There are signs posted at each bin detailing what can and cannot be put in the "COMPOST" bin and what should be put in the "TRASH" bin. The cafeteria compost bin has examples of compostable items displayed above them. We are hopeful that this will further reduce the amount of solid waste taken from Fairfield. We threw out 135 tons of waste in 2010 and though our mixed stream recycling and composting initiatives, along with other improvements, we reduced our waste stream to 96 tons in calendar year 2011! Currently we are on target to send out as less than 60 tons of trash in calendar year 2012. 

Did you know that the compost found in garden soil is actually made from food waste? This valuable process that helps plants thrive and grow in the garden comes from recycled organics and food scraps. Composting turns food waste and other biodegradable materials into a valuable and sustainable byproduct. It's better for the environment because instead of food waste going into a landfill, it will eventually go back to the Earth. We direct all of our food waste to Garick's composting facility, New Milford Farms in New Milford, CT. Our partner in composting, Garick is a leading manufacturer and distributor of sustainable natural resource products. Their team of experts helps us to properly compost food waste and resulting compost is used by Garick to produce soil blends for consumer, nursery, and greenhouse markets for flower and vegetable gardening. Compost is an ideal soil additive as it has a micro and macro nutrient that feeds the plants naturally.

Go to their webpage www.garick.com or facebook.com/garickllc for more information on composting and other gardening tips!

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