Composting for Gainesville Communities

Posted By: Charlie Pioli Industry News,

Effective June 1st 2024, the City of Gainesville’s code Sec. 27-95.2. mandates that multifamily properties, landlords, and condo associations establish a food waste collection program that separates food waste from other trash. 

In October 2024, O-Town Compost will be bringing its experience and expertise to Gainesville, FL to help implement this food waste collection program.

The Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program

Introducing the Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program! In partnership with our compostable bag manufacturer, Eco-Safe Zero Waste, O-Town Compost will be offering  a convenient, odor & pest-free method to facilitate the Gainesville multifamily property sector’s compliance with the city’s new mandate. Such collection programs have been successful across the U.S. and Canada. Here’s a video showing the program in action

The O-Town Compost Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program includes a 2.5-gallon Kitchen Caddy and  BPI certified compostable bags for each residential unit for tenants’ to easily transport their food scraps to the common collection area(s) on the property. 

48-gallon compost carts will be placed in the property’s common area(s) for residents’ easy access and convenience. For properties with multiple buildings, it is recommended each building have a centralized compost cart to minimize the distance residents must  travel to utilize the bin. This common area is where O-Town Compost will pick up the food scraps on a recurring basis. Properties can choose an adequate level of service based on their number of buildings and residents.

Posted above the 48-gallon compost carts  will be educational signage provided by O-Town Compost to help assure residents discard only acceptable materials (example here). Also, a compostable bag dispenser will be wall-mounted in the common collection area for residents to replenish their Kitchen Caddy bags. 

Pricing

The Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program set-up cost includes purchase of Kitchen Caddies, their compostable bags and wall-mounted bag dispensers. 

Following set-up, on-going program costs include a recurring collection fee and the periodic restocking of compostable bags that O-Town Compost will deliver free of charge on pickup days.

Benefits to Properties & Cost Savings

As food scraps are  diverted away from the trash dumpster towards composting, there is a huge potential for cost savings on garbage collection service. It is recommended Multi-Res Program participants contact their trash hauler to reduce the frequency of pickups and/or size of  their dumpsters. Don’t pay to dump air!

Adding composting to the list of amenities offered helps attract environmentally conscious tenants and works towards a more sustainable future in Gainesville. 

Ultimately, the cost of the Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program may be factored into rents, making it a service for residents, paid for by residents.

For more information about O-Town Compost and the Multi-Res Food Scrap Collection Program please contact us at Richard@o-towncompost.com or fill out our form online to get started.