City to Begin Food Waste Collection in Culver City Schools

The Culver City Public Works Department will launch a new food waste collection program next month in five Culver City elementary schools with the goal of expanding the program citywide.

The waste collection program, designed to complement the school district's commitment to remove styrofoam lunch trays from schools, will officially begin in school cafeterias on Oct. 1.

According to the city, food waste diverted from schools will be used for compost and then sent back to schools and the community for use in gardens.

"By keeping this organic material out of the landfill we reduce the creation of greenhouse gases, and by composting our food waste, we return this valuable organic matter back to the soil to be used again," City Manager John Nachbar said in his bi-weekly City Council update.

Nachbar added that approximately 40 percent of Culver City's landfill trash consists of food waste.

The city also said that it plans on eventually scheduling "compost give away days" for all of Culver City if the program proves successful. For businesses interested in a bin placement along the food waste route, Nachbar said residents can contact customer service at 310-253-6400. From there a representative will contact interested parties and discuss logistics for the food waste program.