UGA, ACCGov pilot study diverts 19 tons of organic materials to composting

A pilot program co-managed by researchers from the UGA New Materials Institute to study curbside collection of food scrap and other organic waste in Athens-Clarke County resulted in more than 19 tons of collected material in three months, along with the community’s desire for more.  

The study, co-managed by researchers from the University of Georgia New Materials Institute and the Athens Clarke-County Solid Waste Department, enrolled 400 homes, or about 18% of residences in the Normaltown, Boulevard, and Cobbham neighborhoods between February and May of this year. Participating residents were surveyed mid-way through the study and again at the end of the study on their experiences. 

“The amount of organic material we diverted from the landfill that serves Athens is equivalent to about 17.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide, or CO2e,” said Evan M. White, the principal investigator on the project and director of the UGA New Materials Institute’s Bioseniatic℠ Laboratory. “Participant experiences were overwhelmingly positive and demand for curbside composting exists in Athens,” White said. 

Study results and recommendations were presented to the Athens-Clarke County Commission earlier this year for consideration. Recommendations and outcomes included:  

• Expanding voluntary collection of food scraps and organic materials from Athens’ residences through ACCGov or franchised haulers; 
• Creating a position within ACCGov to educate residents on proper end-of-life management for food scraps and other organic materials that can be composted; 
• A cost analysis based on the pilot program and suggestions on ways a permanent program could be financed by ACCGov. 

The study was funded by the Walmart Foundation to help develop guidance for scaling organic composting infrastructure in the Southeastern and Midwestern states. 

Click here to read more about this project.