After Staunton’s municipal food waste drop-off pilot program successfully collected 880 pounds of food scraps from residents, the city of Staunton says it is officially taking full management and responsibility for all four compost bins located at the city’s recycling center.
“Really, we just learned that people were interested in it. People wanted to do it, and one of the big tests was to see if our contamination levels were going to be okay,” Josh Knight, assistant city manager for engagement, communications and strategic initiatives, said.
“We have to make sure what we’re sending to Black Bear or what Black Bear is picking up for us to compost is clean enough that it’s ready for their compost piles. And people did an incredible job.” Knight said the hundreds of pounds of food scraps that were dropped off show just how much residents really want this option to be available.