West Side Market food waste will stop going to landfill

Read the latest article from Cleveland.com about our partnership with the West Side Market!

Written By: Courtney Astolfi, cleveland.com

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Food waste generated at the West Side Market will soon be diverted from landfills and sent instead for composting. And if food items are still good, they would go to the hungry.

City Council this week signed off on a contract for the pilot program with Rust Belt Riders, a Cleveland-based business that facilitates commercial and residential composting around Northeast Ohio and services some 300 businesses.

The goal is to create more eco-friendly and sustainable practices at the market, which likely generates tens of thousands of pounds of food waste each year. Sitting in the landfill, that waste generates methane, a harmful greenhouse gas.

It’s also a social and economic matter, said Daniel Brown, co-founder of Rust Belt Riders.

“In the U.S., roughly 40% of all of the food grown will end up thrown away -- and that has an incredibly damaging impact, because the United States will throw away roughly 1.4% of its [gross domestic product] annually, or $218 billion of food. This is the exact same time when, in Northeast Ohio, one in five children are considered food insecure,” Brown said.

The market composting program is expected to kick off after the New Year, once vendors make it through the busy holiday shopping season.

The city is paying for the program using a $60,000 grant awarded to Cleveland Neighborhood Progress from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. While the grant expires at the end of October, city officials hope to use the coming months to determine how to continue composting in future years, and how to pay for it, Senior Strategist Jessica Trivisonno said during a Monday City Council committee meeting.

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After the Farm & the Table

Take a listen to this great episode of the CLE Foodcast! Here Lisa, host of the CLE Foodcast, talks with co-founder Daniel Brown about our work, composting and all things food-scrap related!

Conversation for food and drink enthusiasts that starts where the pretty Instagram picture ends. Hosted by Lisa Sands, a Cleveland-based local food advocate and food and travel writer. CLE Foodcast serves up a deep dive into the local food ecosystem with developing food biz news, interesting interviews, and plenty of recommendations for must-try food experiences.

Listen Here

Demystifying Fungi

FUNGI 

Scientific Definition

Fungi (n.) \ ˈfən-​ˌjī

Any of a kingdom (Fungi) of saprophytic and parasitic spore-producing eukaryotic typically filamentous organisms formerly classified as plants that lack chlorophyll and include molds, rusts, mildews, smuts, mushrooms, and yeasts

A.K.A.

An organism that helps with the decomposition process of food scraps to compost

But what does this mean?!

Fungus is not a plant or an animal. Fungi can be unicellular like yeast, or multicellular like mushrooms. They are heterotrophs, like us, which means they have to “eat” organic carbon materials to create energy. Fungus food can be things like fallen logs, leaf litter, or your food scraps! 

And how does it affect you?

We most often interact with fungus in the form of food such as yeast for bread or medicine made from fungi like antibiotics. Fungus has the potential to do even more though, it can help us solve climate change by breaking down our food scraps into compost. This compost will be healthier and contain diversity that will keep your plants health and strong. (And if you are eating those plants, you will be healthy and strong too!) To get your hands on this healthy soil go to Tilth Soils site found here. You can also go to RBR’s site to see how you can take your food scraps and turn them into this living soil. 

References include: Merriam-Webster Online DictionaryThe Botanical Society of America

Demystifying Windrow Systems

WINDROW SYSTEM 

Scientific Definition

Windrow (n.)  \ ˈwin(d)-ˌrō 

Long, open-air piles, that consist of organic matter or compost that is aerated manually or mechanically. They are built from a mixture of brown (carbon-rich) and green (nitrogen-rich) materials in ratios that optimize air and water infiltration and microbial life 

A.K.A.

A long pile of composting materials

But what does this mean?!

Rather than making a square or round compost pile, some people make a long row. The compost pile is about as tall as it is wide, but may be as long as space allows. This row of compost is called a windrow. On a large scale, windrow compost turners or backhoes are used to turn over and aerate the windrows. On a small-garden scale, a shovel or pitchfork and some physical work suffices. The windrow system is most commonly used for composting on a large scale.

And how does it affect you?

Rust Belt Riders composting mixture is placed in elongated piles called windrows 2 weeks into the composting process. These windrows are aerated naturally through the chimney effect and by mechanically turning the piles with a skid loader machine. This process helps keep the compost piles at an ideal temperature to kill off bad pathogens and keep healthy microbes thriving. This allows Tilth Soil to be one the healthiest thing you can use in your garden to feed your plants. 

References include: Merriam-Webster

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Demystifying Biodegradable

BIODEGRADABLE

Scientific Definition

Biodegradable (adj.)  \ ˌbī-(ˌ)ō-di-ˈgrā-də-bəl

capable of being broken down especially into innocuous products by the action of living things (such as microorganisms)

A.K.A.

When organic matter decomposes into simple compounds through natural processes and ultimately becomes part of the soil

But what does this mean?!

Natural processes such as weather, microorganisms and fungi break organic matter into smaller bits of organic material. This is a natural process so environmental risks and hazards are low to none. In fact, when things like food scraps biodegrade they actually help the health and nutrient content of the soil. 

And how does it affect you?

There is a tremendous amount of potential for you to personally make a difference with climate change and soil health by diverting your food scraps from landfills. Your food scraps will biodegrade and actually boost the nutrient density of soil. When you compost with Rust Belt Riders we take that soil and get it into the hands of local farmers and gardeners. (And you!) Go to https://www.tilthsoil.com/ to get your nutrient dense living soil! 

Did you know that you can get from food scraps to soil in as little as 30 days?

References include: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary and Home Guides

Demystifying Landfills

LANDFILLS- 

Scientific Definition

Landfill (n.) \ ˈlan(d)-ˌfil 

A system of trash and garbage disposal in which waste is buried between layers of earth to build up low lying land

A.K.A.

A buried pile o’ trash 

But what does this mean?!

When you take  your trash to your curb each week a truck comes to pick it up then takes it to a “out of sight” location and dumps it in a huge pit to be buried with dirt. Modern landfills compose of clay bottoms and a liner, as well as leachate and gas collection systems. 

And how does it affect you? 

They are out of sight, out of mind but that is exactly why they are so sinister. Landfills are intentionally put in places away from main hubs of communities, making them easy to ignore. People who live near landfills are also often upset by the excessive amounts of noise pollution, truck traffic, odors, and pests caused by the landfills. When counties have one waste disposal site, they tend to attract more of these facilities while discouraging cleaner, more economically advantageous industries. In effect, landfills can decrease property values and restrict an area’s economic prospects without offering benefits that offset these problems. 

Over 40% of all food in the United States ends up in landfills. This organic waste does not break down in landfills as it would in compost piles. Instead it purifies and creates large amounts of methane, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.  When you compost with Rust Belt Riders you are helping create a solution to climate change.

Source: “Municipal Solid Waste Landfills.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 13 Sept. 2018, www.epa.gov/landfills/municipal-solid-waste-landfills.

Demystifying Tilth

Demystifying Tilth

Scientific Definition

Tilth (n.) \ ˈtilth

The state of aggregation of a soil especially in relation to its suitability for crop growth

A.K.A. 

Healthy soil that is full of nutrients and microorganisms 

But what does this mean?!

Tilth describes soil that has many pore spaces where air, microbes, nutrients, and water can reside. In discussions of composting and organic gardening, the phrase “the tilth of the soil” is often used to describe the general health of the soil including a balance of nutrients, water, and air. 

And how does it affect you?

Nutritionists recommend we eat multiple servings of fresh fruits, veggies and legumes to be our healthiest. This is because they are packed with vitamins and minerals. Plants get these vitamins and minerals from the soil they grow in. If the soil is lacking nutrients, so will our food. It is estimated that we have 60 years of healthy topsoil left if current agriculture and waste disposal practices are continued. Part of Rust Belt Riders mission is to create a regenerative system in Cleveland to feed our soils and turn back that clock. Rust Belt Riders uses your food scraps to create rich and nutrient dense tilth for local farmers, community gardens and you! When you buy Tilth products, you are combating food waste, fighting climate change, and supporting the radical effort of growing your own food.

Go to https://www.tilthsoil.com/ to ensure your garden is making the most nutrient rich food it can this season! 

References include: Merriam-Webster & Scientific American 

Demystifying Microorganisms

Scientific Definition

Micro-organism/microbe (n.) \ ˌmī-krō-ˈȯr-gə-ˌni-zəm

Any organism of microscopic size.

A.K.A.

Underground micro-heroes

Tiny little living creatures

But what does this mean?!

With the proper mixture of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, micro-organisms are able to break down your food scraps into compost, which is why they are RBR’s micro-heroes! There are many types of microorganisms found in active compost; the most common are bacteria, archaea, protozoa, algae, fungi, and viruses. These little creatures are what brings life to our soils. 

And how does it affect you?

The abundance of microorganisms make compost a biodiverse ecosystem. This biodiversity is key for not only the health of our soils, but the health of the planet’s ecosystems too. When our soils and ecosystems are diverse with different types of life, it’s like a system of checks and balances in place that control things like pests and disease. Most of the current agriculture systems are not operating in a way that allows for microorganisms and biodiversity. By giving RBR your food scraps each week you help our underground micro-heroes thrive allowing for healthy soil creation for local farms growing your food. 

Go to the Tilth soil website to get a bag of our living soil with microorganisms included. 

References include: Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary

WORD(S) OF THE DAY

WORD(S) OF THE DAY

By Tim Weber

Do you remember elementary school when teachers would use those overlapping circles called Venn diagrams to compare and contrast two or more characters or situations? Things that were unique to a certain item would be put in its own circle, but some things were shared among however many things being compared. Those descriptions were put in the overlapping circle. In our industry, we see a need to compare and contrast three common terms:

  Recyclable   Biodegradable       Compostable

It is a positive thing that this exercise is necessary. These words have entered the lexicon of our culture suggesting that an increasing number of us are considering environmentally sustainable practices. Using the above-mentioned Venn diagram, the overlapping circles would have a theme of “choices that have potential positive impacts on sustaining the environment.”

Recyclable

items can be broken down and used again, often as a raw material which can reduce natural resource consumption. Glass, plastic, aluminum cans, and paper are supposed to be easily recyclable, and let’s leave it at that. Numerous articles could be crafted about the current state of recycling and why it appears to be broken.

Biodegradable

substances can break down naturally without causing any harm, but it can take a long time for that to happen (think of a large fallen oak tree in the woods) and there usually isn’t a plan to use them for any additional benefit. Some items can be considered biodegradable but not compostable because of the time it takes for them to break down. Biodegradable items do make this trio but do not offer much of a measurable environmental benefit, especially in the urgent situation we face.

Compostable

items are made of natural materials and, in the best case scenario, can be turned into a nutrient rich soil. Insert our composting work and subsequent production of Tilth Soil www.tilthsoil.com. We favor food scraps, but other items that are fully compostable include yard waste, dead flowers, untreated wood, and those items made of pure cotton. We feel strongly that compostable items should never find their way to a landfill because they can be broken down in a natural setting or our “industrial” piles to create something useful right away.

We regulate temperature, moisture, and air flow to our piles by turning them over regularly to ensure they break down in about 60 days. A landfill is basically the opposite since it is an anaerobic environment where most of the pile doesn’t get oxygen. Worse, nitrogenous compostable substances, when left to rot in a landfill, will create dangerous methane gas.

tilth seed starting mix. made from Cleveland’s finest food-scraps and brew grain.

Hopefully, this compare and contrast lesson has shed some light on these vocabulary words that are often innocently and incorrectly used interchangeably. Thank you for being mindful when you consider your choices. Feel free to reach out to us if any questions arise about the compostability of an item.  You can also fund out what is acceptable in our system HERE.

Note to teachers: feel free to scaffold this “lesson” for your students and incorporate technology, art, literature connections, or the graphic organizers of your choice. We would love to hear if any questions are raised about what we do at Rust Belt Riders and schedule a Zoom call for a virtual field trip or guest speaker visit in the future. Reach out to me at tim@rustbeltriders.com.