Local Champions of Waste Reduction
Local Farmers Taking Food Scraps
Diverting food waste from the garbage going to incinerators or landfills is a top priority for waste reduction strategies at the state and the local level – and even at the household backyard level. Here in the Salisbury-Sharon area, there are local farmers who take food scraps for pigs and other farm animals, and others who use food scraps as feedstock for their composting systems.
At the Salisbury School, Rita Delgado, the director of community service, oversees a grass-roots food waste diversion project. Twice a week, while school is in session, she works with boys who have chosen to help with delivery of food waste from the Salisbury School kitchen to a local farmer in Falls Village.
Mike Nadeau, who runs a small farm in Sharon, and Craig Meili, whose farm is just over the Sharon border in Amenia, had until recently been taking food scraps from the produce department and the JAM counter at the Sharon Farm Market. Mike composts food scraps, and Craig feeds his pigs and other animals. Now that the owner of Sharon Farm Market has begun raising his own pigs, both Mike and Craig could probably use new sources of food waste (vegetable and fruit scraps, but not meat, bones, or fish).
You can push this trend forward by asking your favorite restaurants or your children’s schools if they have considered diverting food waste from the garbage they generate. Restaurants create a lot of food waste, and that waste could be put to good use by feeding hungry humans (if it’s suitable), feeding animals, and making compost.
ABOVE: Click photos to view full-size.
Doing the Right Things to Reduce Waste and Recycle with a Purpose
Right here in Salisbury and Sharon, there are many individuals, schools, and businesses who have taken steps to make less garbage and follow the guidelines of the expanding number of RE-words: REDUCE, REUSE, REPURPOSE, REFURBISH, REPAIR, and RECYCLE. This page will spotlight these neighbors of yours and be refreshed every now and then. If you know of someone or some institution that deserves recognition, please contact bbetttigole@yahoo.com and send a photograph of the good deed!
FEATURE #1: THE SALISBURY/SHARON TRANSFER STATION STAFF
The staff at the Transfer Station refurbished these carts for the use of residents to haul their recyclables garbage and special collection items. The carts were spotted at a garden center that was going out of business and fixed up for new service, saving the Transfer Station the significant cost of buying new carts.
Contact Info:
Hours of Operation:
Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri, Sat:
8:00 am to 4:00 pm
(Closed on Wednesday)
Sun: 9:00am to 1:00pm
(household garbage and recycling only)
Phone: (860) 435-5178
Address:
410 Millertown Road
Lakeville, CT 06039
Mailing Address:
PO Box 548
Salisbury CT 06068