Chicago Composting?

In the past I have had deals with some different people to come and take away my scaps for composting. I am now out of a partnership and need to find a non-landfill outlet for my compostables. Does anyone on the forum know a farmer, composter or just a friendly hippie that could use some extra trash?

Intersting that there have been no responses, figjustin. Do you have any room at all? Probably not, but if so, I imagine that you know about bins you could get to do the job. If I had any room at all, I'd be using one...

This has been moved from the professional forum. I'm assuming that figjustin is looking for someone who will take compostables from a catering operation, which is a different matter than home composting. I'm not at all certain what the rules are for composting at a food operation in Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Dept. of Health frowns on it as perhaps attracting vermin.

Hi,

Actually not moved, it is a similar query on both boards.

Regards,

Since we didn't get any responses here, we posted on the Professional Forum with the hope of something more.

which is a different matter than home composting. I'm not at all certain what the rules are for composting at a food operation in Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Dept. of Health frowns on it as perhaps attracting vermin.

I'm sure this is true which is why we've never gone for the home composting unit. Plus, they're really small so it would fill up in a day. Greg Christian Catering advertises that they compost and that someone takes their stuff. We asked for the name of the composter and were given a name and number, but have received no feedback after a number of calls. We do have a basement that is not used for any storage (food or supplies) so we have space, but I don't know about the Health Code for this so at the time we're at a dead end.

When I first read this post, I did a search for Hyde Park Resource Center...but couldn't find a listing. I have to believe the owner, Ken Dunne, composts.

Have you tried contacting the folks who run Green City Market? I wonder if they know of any of the farmers who would want your stuff. Or maybe post a sign at Water market, or wherever farmer's bring their stuff. They go one way with food, go back with compostable material?

The nonprofit that Ken Dunne founded, Resource Center, does indeed compost for their city farm. Hammond couldn't find it because Hyde Park is not in the name. So close yet so far.

Greetings! I'm a little late to the game. This is my first post. Happy to be part of the many discussions that I've enjoyed reading about for years.

I've been looking into commercial composting myself. My hope is that someone can pick up bins of scraps from the restaurant that I work at. I sent an email to someone at the Green City Market awhile ago but haven't gotten a response.

I'd love to keep this thread alive for the hope of a future commercial composting program being organized.

Meanwhile, I have been doing research on Bokashi composting. This is the method of fermenting kitchen scraps for the purpose of composting. The fermented scraps are then folded into soil where they quickly decompose. The fermenting process uses some sort of bacteria or enzymes and the moisture that seeps out of the scraps is tapped off via a spigot on the container. The liquid can then be diluted and used for houseplant fertilizer or poured down the drain as a biological draino.

Some European countries are using the bokashi system successfully.

Talk to you soon!

I suggest talking to Ken Dunn of The Resource Center. He is often willing to pick up compostables, but he may charge you. Also, you may want to talk to someone at Greg Christian catering -- he is very sustainable and may be able to give you a lead on people or organizations that will pick up compost. Good Luck -- we really need to get a city sponsored industrial composting center set up!

Ken Dunn and Rick Bayless. Different people? Really?

leek wrote:Have you tried contacting the folks who run Green City Market? I wonder if they know of any of the farmers who would want your stuff. Or maybe post a sign at Water market, or wherever farmer's bring their stuff. They go one way with food, go back with compostable material?

This is how it's done in NYC. There's a big area at the Union Square Greenmarket to srop of your compost every week.

I suggest talking to Ken Dunn of The Resource Center. He is often willing to pick up compostables, but he may charge you. Also, you may want to talk to someone at Greg Christian catering --

It's funny because we originally contacted The Resource Center after getting their name from Greg Chrisitian. No go. They are at capacity and cannot take any more compostables. If we can get a larger group together in our neighborhood we may be able to set up a recycling program with them - Any restaurant owners in the area interested?