Starting in March, Minneapolis will begin to pick up organic waste such as food scraps, coffee grounds and paper-based egg cartons from residents who register for an organic recycling program by the end of the month.
The program will include everything from soiled paper towels and old pizza boxes to used cotton balls and nail clippings in its weekly collections.
Human carbon emissions are more threatening than ever before. Fortunately, as demonstrated by last December’s landmark climate agreement made by a group of 195 concerned nations, environmental protection has truly become a global initiative.
University of Minnesota students may feel estranged from international emphases on purchasing electric vehicles, constructing new energy infrastructures or investing in more solar fields.
But Minneapolis’ newest recycling program offers students (many of whom live in the city) an easy way to reduce waste free of cost.
Such initiatives can divert waste from landfills and turn it into valuable compost. They also reduce greenhouse gas emissions caused by the decomposition of organic waste in landfills.
Nearly one-third of the city’s existing solid waste and recycling customers have already signed up to receive the free organics recycling carts. Separately, some of the University’s dining halls have already begun to compost food scraps, according to Rachael Grunfelder, the Minnesota Student Association’s sustainability director.
We urge members of our campus to take the little time required to enroll for this accessible and cost-friendly green initiative.
