Fayetteville, Ark. recognized for food waste composting

POSTED BY: KEN MCENTEE NOVEMBER 20, 2020

Fayetteville, Ark. recognized for food waste composting

The Fayetteville, Arkansas Recycling and Trash Division was honored with the 2020 Outstanding Community/Government Program award by the National Recycling Coalition (NRC) for its exceptional achievements in food-waste composting and recycling programs. This recognition is part of the NRC’s annual awards, which aim to acknowledge outstanding contributions to recycling and serve as exemplary models for communities across the nation.

Fayetteville’s commitment to environmental sustainability was further highlighted by the city’s recent implementation of a ban on expanded-polystyrene foam, showcasing its proactive approach to reducing waste and promoting recyclable alternatives. Since its initiation in 2019, the city’s food waste collection program has made significant strides in waste management, diverting 457 tons of food waste from landfills in 2020 alone.

Brian Pugh, Fayetteville’s Waste Reduction Coordinator, expressed gratitude for the recognition, attributing the success of the city’s recycling and composting initiatives to the collaborative efforts of the community, city staff, and residents. Their collective participation and support have been instrumental in the program’s achievements, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in sustainable waste management practices.

Currently, Fayetteville successfully diverts 19 percent of its solid waste from landfills through a combination of recycling, waste-reduction education, and food-waste diversion programs. With an ambitious goal to increase this diversion rate to 40 percent by 2027, Fayetteville continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation in environmental stewardship, setting a commendable standard for waste reduction and recycling efforts nationwide.

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