Growth of US Composting
Columbus Area Yardwaste:
Kurtz Bros, Inc. accepts:
• Leaves • small branches • grass clippings • holiday trees
Yard waste should include only organic materials from your own yard. We cannot accept waste in plastic bags. You may be asked to show proof that you are a Columbus or Franklin County resident. These locations accept these materials free of charge only from residents. Professional landscapers are required to pay a fee to drop off yard waste for recycling.
In 2005, an estimated 245.7 million tons of municipal solid wastes were generated in the United States, that's 4.5 pounds per person per day. Organic materials-comprised of yard trimmings, food scraps, wood waste, paper and paperboard products-are the largest component of our trash and make up about two-thirds of the solid waste stream.
According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, Reducing, reusing, recycling, and rebuying - the four Rs - is key to diverting organic materials from landfills or incinerators and protecting human health and our land, air, and water. Waste reduction and recycling prevents greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduces pollutants, saves energy, conserves resources and reduces the need for new disposal facilities. Yard trimmings and food residuals by themselves constitute 24 percent of the U.S. municipal solid waste stream. Composting offers the obvious benefits of resource efficiency and creating a useful product.
As a nation, we have made remarkable strides towards recycling these materials, primarily through the development of effective composting technologies. Whereas in 1990 recovery via composting only diverted 2% of the total solid waste stream, we now recover 20% through composting, including 62% of all yard trimmings (USEPA, 2006a). Taking the lead in addressing environmental issues, this business serves as a vessel for organic waste recycling and compost manufacturing for municipalities and private industries. We operate several organic recycling facilities throughout Ohio, from Columbus (the largest organic recycling facility in Ohio) to North Royalton.