Eco Blog

September 11, 2010, Corvallis, Oregon. Corvallis Farmers’ Market, Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Waste Prevention Action Team, Allied Waste of Corvallis, and the Earth Smart Store of Corvallis are partnering in a five-week Mixed Organics Cart Pilot Program at the Saturday site of the Corvallis Farmers ’ Market.  The goal of the project is to promote composting of organic material that would otherwise be sent to the landfill.  The Mixed Organics Cart made its first appearance at the Sept. 11 market and was hosted by the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Waste Prevention Action Team.  On Sept. 18 and 25 and Oct. 2 and 9, the cart will be located in the food court area of the market and staffed by community volunteers. 
This is the first time that there has been a Mixed Organics Cart available for patrons of the Farmers’ Market to use.  The idea sprouted when Rebecca Landis, farmers’ market director, visited the Earth Smart Store to learn more about locally manufactured and compostable food service products, such as plates and utensils.  “Now that Allied Waste Commercial/Event Mixed Organics Carts accept meat and dairy, as well as approved compostable food service products that the Earth Smart Store offers, it is a great time to test it out in the community,” said Holli Ogle, Earth Smart Store co-owner. 
The Farmers’ Market Mixed Organics Cart pilot partners hope to compost a significant amount of waste and set the stage for more waste reduction at next season’s markets.  Many of the same community leaders who helped the 2010 da Vinci Days Festival Composting Program divert  a ton of trash from the landfill are helping to drive this pilot and continue to look for ways to make Corvallis more sustainable.   
Learn how to be more sustainable at your home or workplace and get involved by contacting one of the pilot sponsors.  For more information about local manufacturing of compostable products, e-mail Sales@EcNowTech.com or stop by the Earth Smart Store at 160 NW Jackson Avenue.  Information about the commercial and residential Mixed Organics Cart offerings from Allied Waste Services of Corvallis is available at www.corvallis.disposal.com.  To volunteer with the Corvallis Sustainability Coalition Waste Prevention Action Team, email info@sustainablecorvallis.org.  The Corvallis Farmers’ Market can be found on 1st and Jackson, Saturdays through November 20, 9 am to 1 pm and at http://locallygrown.org.