Wasatch Resource Recovery has launched a new community resource in North Salt Lake, opening a residential public drop-off site to help residents divert food waste from landfills. The program allows individuals to bring organic materials to the facility, where they are processed via anaerobic digestion to create renewable biogas and bio-based fertilizer.
Drop-off Details and Logistics
The new drop-off location is situated just inside the gates of the Wasatch Resource Recovery facility at 1370 West Center Street in North Salt Lake. The facility operates with specific hours for public use, opening Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The site is closed on Sundays.
Guidelines for Residential Users
According to Wasatch Resource Recovery, the service is free for the public, though the facility requests that residents contact them if they have more than 15 gallons of material to dispose of. While the service is free, the organization encourages residents to combine trips to minimize vehicle emissions.
To help manage odors and messes, the facility suggests that residents may place food waste in clear plastic or bio-bags. While the facility utilizes state-of-the-art equipment capable of removing contaminants like plastic bags and cans, the organization prefers that users keep as much contamination as possible out of the bins and recycle containers separately.
Accepted and Prohibited Materials
The facility accepts a wide variety of organic materials, including fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, poultry, grains, and pizza crusts. Residents may also drop off coffee grounds, cheese, eggs, leftovers, pet food, and butter or oils.
However, certain items are strictly prohibited from the drop-off site. These include yard waste, wood, empty plastic or cardboard containers, metal cans, wrappers, compostable silverware or containers, and any toxic or hazardous materials. If an unopened canned food item is brought to the site, the food must be separated from the can, and the can must be recycled separately.
The Environmental Impact of Waste
The initiative comes as data highlights the significant environmental impact of food waste. The City of Salt Lake City noted that food loss and waste are responsible for 8% to 10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions, with households acting as the largest producers. The city further noted that if food waste were a country, it would rank as the third largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, trailing only China and the United States.
This environmental concern is underscored by research from 2020, which found that the average household wastes 31.9% of their grocery purchases. By diverting this waste, residents can help reduce the volume of material sent to landfills.
Landfill and Methane Concerns
The environmental necessity for such programs is supported by historical data from the Environmental Protection Agency. A 2018 EPA report found that the residential sector—comprising single and multi-family homes—wasted 25 million tons of food. Of that total, 66% was sent to landfills, while only 3% was composted. The remainder was either incinerated or sent to wastewater treatment facilities.
Landfills present a significant challenge because they lack the oxygen required for rapid decomposition. As organic waste slowly degrades in a landfill, it releases methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. Furthermore, the EPA reported in 2018 that food waste accounts for approximately 24% of total landfill space, contributing to the large footprint and high maintenance costs of these facilities.
The Anaerobic Digestion Process
Wasatch Resource Recovery serves as Utah’s first and only anaerobic digester dedicated specifically to food waste diversion. The facility uses microorganisms to break down biodegradable material in an enclosed, oxygen-free tank—a process similar to a digestive system. This biological process converts the organic matter into biogas and biosolids, which are eventually refined into natural gas and nutrient-rich fertilizer.
For businesses interested in food waste diversion, Wasatch Resource Recovery recommends contacting the organization directly to explore specialized hauling options. Residents can also find information regarding authorized food waste haulers through the City of Salt Lake City's sustainability resources.
Additional Waste Management Options
Salt Lake City provides several other avenues for managing food waste to benefit both household budgets and the planet. Residents can utilize the Animalia pop-up shop located at 280 E 900 S, which offers food waste drop-offs in green Momentum Recycling carts. Additionally, the city offers curbside collection through Momentum Recycling, which accepts all types of food waste, including packaged and unpackaged food, meat, dairy, and fats, oils, and grease. Residents may also opt for backyard composting or utilize the city's brown yard waste carts, which are processed into high-grade compost.
