Green Commission reviews village composting policy, weighs community site and curbside options

Commissioners opened a detailed discussion of village composting options, noting the existing ordinance is nearly 30 years old and currently allows only landscape yard waste rather than food scraps. A speaker summarized the group's three-part review: (1) the ordinance text, (2) models used by neighboring municipalities, and (3) possible village locations for a community compost site.

"It kind of boiled down to three aspects where firstly we're reviewing the existing ordinance which is almost 30 years old," the commissioner said, describing the review process and comparisons with nearby programs. Commissioners discussed curbside opt-in pickup programs that divert landfill-bound organics but typically do not return finished compost to participants, versus a single community compost site where residents could both contribute and receive compost.

Participants noted interim steps that would not require ordinance change: during the village's yard-waste season the village can accept some food scraps with yard waste collection, and a list of accepted items is posted on the village website. Commissioners also discussed operational challenges for a community site—site selection, rodent control and partnerships with local agencies—and concluded no formal recommendation would be made at this meeting; they will continue researching options and involve Commissioner Leanne House at the next meeting.

The village board liaison referenced existing village garden sites and suggested partnerships (sanitary district, LRS) as possible locations or collaborators for a community composting effort. Next steps include continued research, stakeholder outreach, and a future agenda item to present options.