Royal Oak launches composting pilot program at Farmers Market

The city of Royal Oak in Michigan has launched a free food composting pilot program at the Royal Oak Farmers Market that aims to combat food waste. The scheme, which starts on February 24, will allow residents to dispose of their food scraps without cost. The composting drop-offs will be open every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon, aligning with the market hours which run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The three-month trial aims to assess community interest in composting as a sustainable practice for managing food waste. By transforming food scraps into fertilizer, the program seeks to encourage recycling efforts and reduce the environmental footprint associated with waste.

Furthermore, Royal Oak Sustainability is collaborating with Metro Food Rescue to facilitate the donation of large-scale food waste from caterers, schools, and other entities. This partnership underscores the program’s broader goal of addressing food waste comprehensively.

As part of its commitment to sustainability and education, Royal Oak Sustainability is also organizing workshops to engage the community further. An upcoming event, an informational happy hour, is scheduled for February 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Alchemi. This session will feature discussions on waste-reduction strategies, highlighted by insights from the restaurant’s chef regarding their efforts to minimize waste.