Organics Collection

The Pilot

Starting in the Spring of 2012, Fitchburg will begin a curbside Organics Collection Pilot. Organics are things like apple cores, orange peels, other fruit and vegetable rinds, fats, meats, and bones. Pretty much anything you can eat is considered "organic" for the purpose of this Pilot. Used napkins or paper towels, cheese covered pizza lids, and pet waste are also considered organics for this Pilot. Our Frequently Asked Questions page has more information on the program.

Upcoming Events:

The first collection day is April 3, 2012. Please do not set out your organics cart until that date.

Electronic Updates:

Periodic updates will be sent via e-mail to those who have subscribed to the Organics Collection Mailing List

Why?

The main reason is to reduce the amount of waste going to the landfill. Approximately 42% of waste collected in Fitchburg's refuse carts is considered organic and is readily compostable (based on the 2009 Fitchburg Waste Sort). If we can reduce that number to 10% through out the entire city we will keep over 1000 tons of trash out of the landfill annually. That will extend the life of the landfills, and save a significant amount of money by reducing long term disposal costs. There are several other reasons including:

1) Organics are a potential energy source. As food waste breaks down it releases methane. Methane is a green house gas roughly 23 times worse for the environment than carbon dioxide. If an anaerobic digester is used it can collect the methane and use it to generate electricity.   2) Organics are rich in nutrients. As the materials break down and turn in to compost, the compost can be returned to the soil. Organics collected during the pilot will be taken to the The Columbia County Co-Composting Facility,

How the Pilot will work:

The Pilot collection area includes 300 homes on the Tuesday collection route within the Seminole Hills and Swan Creek of Nine Springs Neighborhoods as well as Fitchburg's City Hall, Community Center, and Library. Selected households were sent a letter in early February explaining their participation in the Pilot. A 35-gallon organics cart with wheels, kitchen compost pail and welcome letter will be delivered March 2nd - 7th. A workshop was held March 8th (see more information below) to further explain the Pilot and answer any questions. Curbside organics collection will start April 3rd. Refuse and recycling carts will continue to be collected on their normal schedule. However, due to the expected significant decrease in refuse, participants will be encouraged to consider setting out their refuse carts every other week.

What can I put in the organics cart?

More Information

An informational workshop was held on March 8, 2012 for households taking part in the program. A video of the workshop can also be seen on FacTV.

Further information can be found in the Household Organics Collection Report for the City of Fitchburg.

Questions, Concerns, Suggestions?

Please contact Rick Eilertson at 270-4264 or rick.eilertson@city.fitchburg.wi.us