Red Hook-Tivoli Food Waste Initiative Data Analysis & Recommendations
The Rhinebeck, Red Hook, and Tivoli communities are exploring a food waste initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Survey results show interest from residents, businesses, and institutions. Most respondents are from Rhinebeck, with varying home composting capacities. Residents show willingness to pay for food waste collection services, with price sensitivity observed among non-composting residents.
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Presentation Transcript
RHINEBECK RED HOOK TIVOLI FOOD WASTE INITIATIVE Data Collection Results and Recommendations October 2018
Despite municipal interest in a food waste initiative, there is little data on community interest. Beginning last year, the combined environmental committee for the Village and Town of Rhinebeck expressed interest in reducing food waste to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions from solid waste. A local food scrap recycling and composting company, Community Compost Company (CCC), was contacted and subsequently made a proposal for initiating service to Rhinebeck. They were also interested in potentially siting a new compost facility on town land near the Transfer Station. The goal of the first phase of this initiative is to explore options for reducing food waste, primarily through composting, and options for implementing a pilot project. During an initial meeting, we determined that there was a need to collect more data from residents, businesses, and institutions. A survey was sent out to residents, and interviews were conducted with businesses, as well as the school district and hospital.
SURVEY RESULTS
Of 332 total responses, most were from town and/or Rhinebeck residents. Responses 37 11% 77 23% 20 6% Town/Rhinebeck Town/Red Hook Village/Rhinebeck Village/Red Hook Village/Tivoli 68 21% 130 39%
Home Composting Capacity vs Feedstock Waste Generation 25 Most composting residents felt their current system either exceeded or matched their needs. Much more composting capacity than waste 20 A little more composting capacity than waste 15 About the same composting capacity as waste 10 A little more waste than composting capacity 5 Much more waste than composting capacity 0
Food Waste Collection Willingness-to-Pay Weekly curbside pick-up: $29/month Residents interested in food waste collection are price sensitive and will compromise convenience. Weekly curbside pick-up: $39/month Central drop-off: $2/drop-off Central drop-off: free with annual transfer station permit Biweekly curbside pick-up: $19/month Biweekly curbside pick-up: $26/month Distributed drop- off: $3/drop-off Distributed drop- off: $2/drop-off Town of Red Hook Village of Red Hook Village of Tivoli Town of Rhinebeck Village of Rhinebeck
Food Waste Collection WTP among Non- Composting Residents Weekly curbside pick-up: $29/month This trend is even more significant among residents who are not already composting. Weekly curbside pick-up: $39/month Central drop-off: $2/drop-off Central drop-off: free with annual transfer station permit Biweekly curbside pick-up: $19/month Biweekly curbside pick-up: $26/month Distributed drop- off: $3/drop-off Distributed drop- off: $2/drop-off Town of Red Hook Village of Red Hook Village of Tivoli Town of Rhinebeck Village of Rhinebeck
Businesses interested in food waste collection have self-organized individual solutions. Barriers/concerns Cost Time Staff education Space for additional bins Pests Current food waste solutions: Direct partnerships with farmers On-site composting Few businesses expressed an interest in participating in a widespread food waste collection program
Institutions Northern Dutchess Hospital School Districts have significant food waste, but require clearly defined protocols to implement solutions. Interest and Impact Visibility of sustainability (especially paper) More than half of waste is food waste Interest Lasting initiative Student involvement Current/Past Actions Separation into garbage/paper/recycling Current/Past Actions On-site composting Some sorting (not consistent across schools) Waste audit Concerns Space Clear procedures/directions Cost Concerns Staffing/teacher turnover Waste exceeding capacity Vertical and horizontal coordination/consistency
CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS Begin with awareness, education, and training Expand recycling service to include food waste at central locations, and incorporate costs into annual permits Facilitate business/farmer partnerships to reduce food waste but allow for flexibility
