Golden Valley Expands Backyard Composting to Larger Properties
Large housing and business communities in Golden Valley are now eligible to start their own backyard composting operations.
The Golden Valley City Council recently approved an amendment to city code expanding the number of eligible properties.
Previously, city code only allowed for backyard composting at at residential properties with four or fewer dwelling units.
Through the code amendment, larger apartment buildings, schools, places of worship and businesses are able to start composting.
Ethan Kehrberg, sustainability specialist with Golden Valley, said that community members asked the city to expand eligibility for composting.
“There were a number of people that had come up to me with questions, especially at apartments and condos where composting and compost services is currently not very widely available,” Kehrberg said. “So not having an answer for them quite yet as to what we can do was a little bit frustrating for them.”
Large housing and business communities in Golden Valley are now eligible to start their own backyard composting operations.
Sustainably Dispose of Food Waste
Backyard composting operates separately from the city’s organic compost recycling program. Through the program, organic recycling is collected curbside and composted at an industrial facility.
Using heat and specialized equipment, industrial composting facilities are able to break down difficult-to-compost materials like animal bones and non-recyclable paper products.
Backyard composting can break down materials like yard waste, coffee grounds, fruit and vegetable scraps and eggshells.
“It may be an opportunity for some of these residents to more sustainably dispose of their food waste,” Kehrberg said. “Their properties may not have the some organic service that a lot of single family homes in Golden Valley have currently. We’re receiving more and more input, the more that we hear from people about this opportunity.”
Residents can purchase a compost bin or build one on their property.
City code requires that residents build homemade bins from wood, wire mesh or a combination of both.
Residents cannot sell their compost or use it for commercial purposes.
