To help reduce the amount of food waste being sent to landfills, the City of Bowling Green has launched a 6-month Pilot Residential Food Waste Drop Off. The Drop Off became available to Bowling Green residents on March 26, 2021. The City is working with GoZero to place 64-gallon containers behind the Public Works garage, near the public Yard Waste Drop Off, on Tarragon Drive. The area is clearly marked with signs identifying where to drop off residential food waste and brochures are available listing the accepted materials and program guidelines. Food waste CAN NOT be left in the yard waste collection area and yard waste CAN NOT be left in the food waste area. All food waste collected will be taken to a certified facility to be composted. Those using this service are encouraged to review the list of accepted items below to minimize the amount of contamination. Site usage, tonnage collected, contamination issues, and cost will be monitored during the 6-month trial period and a recommendation will be made in August for the future of this site.
Accepted:
Fats & Sugars
Raw/Cooked Meat, Bones & Dairy
Beans & Eggs
Baked Goods & Pasta
Fruits & Veggies
Paper Towels & Napkins (Unlined Paper Items)
Greasy Pizza Boxes
Not Accepted:
Plastic Bags
Traditional Plastics
Stone, Glass, & Metal
Pet Waste
Electronics
Styrofoam
Healthcare Products
NO PLASTIC BAGS! Residents are encouraged to use a lidded bucket to transport household food waste to the site. Residents may use any bucket or container they choose. To help launch the program, 5-gallon buckets with lids will be distributed to the first 350 residents who request one. The buckets will contain educational materials and a label displaying the list of acceptable food waste. In return, these residents will be asked periodically for feedback on the pilot program. To request a bucket and/or a label, call 419-354-6222 or email sustainability@bgohio.org.
The City’s Pilot Food Waste Drop Off has been designed to accept residential quantities of food waste only and is only open to Bowling Green residents. Businesses, who are interested in collecting and composting food waste, should contact GoZero directly to discuss options.