Composting in San Francisco

In honor of Earth Day The New York Times Magazine featured articles about ways to reduce our carbon footprint in the April 20th issue.  Ideas from local governments, individual citizens, scientists, and corporations were discussed.  An article written by Tess Taylor outlined a composting program that has been in use in San Francisco for the last ten years.  Residents pay to have their trash taken away, but their food scraps are picked up for free.  Food scraps produce methane in landfills which can be captured, but 2/3 of it is frequently lost. During composting the methane is reabsorbed and the city winds up with dirt that it can sell to farmers, golf courses, and vineyards.

Interview with a Freeholder

Yesterday morning Freeholder Rick Gardener called me in response to a letter I had sent him.  I had some questions about efforts in Warren County to promote composting and I appreciate the fact that he got back to me.  I wasn't sure if the landfill in Oxford was the only one in the county, but he confirmed that it is.  The landfill will reach capacity in 2012 and the area is triple lined to protect the land.  He also informed me that the county has Solid Waste Advisory Council (SWAC) with 31 members that studies issues and makes recommendations to the county board.