Food Scrap CompostingIllinois Recycling Association / SCARCE

2010 Conference

November 10, 2010Jim Cowhey President/CEO Land and Lakes Company

Land and Lakes History

• 1988 IEPA Experimental Leaf Composting Permit

• 1990 IEPA Issues First Permits for Yardwaste Composting

1Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Land and Lakes Yardwaste Operations

Today• The Largest

Yardwaste Composter in Illinois

• 8 Permitted Facilities in Lake, Cook, and Will Counties

2Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Land and Lakes Yardwaste Operations

Today• Over

100,000 Tons of Material Accepted Each Year

• 100% Recycled Product

3Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Land and Lakes Organic Waste

Composting• 1st Permit issued

in Illinois• 1st Permit issued

in Chicago• Organic

Composting begins March 2010

4Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Wal-Mart Begins Organics Recycling

• 66 Stores in Illinois

• Mostly Produce• Future Items to

include: • Bakery• Meats• Milk• Juices

5

Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Organics Collection• Containers

• Toters• Commercial

Containers

• Specialized Trucks

• Mixing with Yardwaste

6Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Organics Market Expanding

• Large Grocery Chains• Whole Foods• Kroger• Costco

7Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

• Museums• Schools• Stadiums

Public Facilities

8Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Private Companies

• Corporate Cafeterias• Food Service• Banquet Facilities• Restaurants

9Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Residential Communities

• Barrington Hills

• Work with Community Advocates

10Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

Government Support ofOrganic Recycling

• First to be awarded grant from City of Chicago to handle organic composting

• Land and Lakes Harbor View Facility, Chicago

11Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey

End Product Uses

12

YARDWASTE COMPOST USES:• IDOT & IL Tollway• Landscapers –

Soil Amendment

• Gardens• Nurseries• Parks & Recreation• Golf CoursesFood Waste Composting Needs To Meet The

Same Quality Standards Food Scrap Composting, by Jim Cowhey