Wixom, Michigan has introduced an eco-friendly twist to waste collection, adding a curbside food scrap recycling program aiming to alter how residents dispose of their leftovers. According to FOX 2, the city is encouraging locals to chuck expired foodstuffs, including dairy and meats, alongside yard waste for weekly pickups. This move is projected to significantly cut down on the amount of organic waste ending up in landfills.
To take seriously mitigating the consequences of climate change, Wixom has made it simpler for folks to partake in food waste recycling. Citizens can now, literally, put their scraps where their homes are, the pilot program embracing materials from coffee grounds to bones. The Oakland Press reports that this is part of a statewide plan orchestrated by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, aiming to halve food waste by 2030.
The bold initiative hasn't come without criticism. Some locals have taken to social media to voice concerns over potential increases in odor and wildlife attraction. "Perfect, more stink in our subdivisions…. Critters galore already, yep just add more, that's sensible," one resident lamented, according to The Oakland Press. Wixom officials, however, believe these were non-issues as these waste items were previously discarded with the regular trash in different containers.
Amid concerns over attracting rodents and other animals, the city reassures citizens that proper disposal will not become a nuisance. "They're already putting those same materials out into the trash on a regular weekly basis and we do not anticipate that becoming a problem with a different means of disposal," Wixom Department of Public Works Director Tim Sikma told, as per WXYZ. For those apprehensive about using the standard brown lawn bags, alternative solid bins labeled “yard waste” or “compost” are also acceptable.
While Wixom is the first in Oakland County to roll out this composting effort, it could set a trend for neighboring areas if successful. Mike Csapo, the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County General Manager, spoke optimistically about the program's future, saying, "We're hoping that this works really well in Wixom and we can begin to deploy it in other communities nearby." As the program unfolds, Wixom and the Resource Recovery and Recycling Authority of Southwest Oakland County are open to resident feedback to ensure the initiative is effectively helping the environment and the community alike, as per WXYZ.
