Thanks for lobster

trap compost bins

I would like to thank the town of Kennebunk’s Energy Efficiency and Sustainability Committee for the lobster trap compost bins they gave out to the community last fall.

In the spring of 2024, members of the committee, in conjunction with town staff, applied for and received a Maine DEP Waste Diversion grant that allowed for the purchase of 100 lobster trap compost bins. The bins were given out to community members free of charge. All 100 were quickly claimed.

The committee has recently included supporting composting in the community as well as educating the community on the importance of composting in its mission statement.

On Feb. 11, Kennebunk voters will be asked to choose a location for the disposal of the town’s solid waste and recycling. Dan King / Kennebunk Post

Composting is crucial for several reasons. Composting reduces greenhouse gases. Food waste sent to landfills releases methane into the environment. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Also, the use of compost in soil keeps our oceans cleaner. Compost can filter out harmful fertilizers and chemicals. And composting food waste can save money.

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On Feb. 11, the voters of Kennebunk will be asked to choose a location for the disposal of our solid waste and recycling since our current contract expires on June 30, 2025. The fee the town of Kennebunk pays to dispose of our solid waste and recycling is known as a tipping fee. Tipping fees will increase significantly in fiscal year 2025-26 just as all costs have risen.

While the tipping fee rate per ton is set in a contract, the actual amount paid per load can vary based on the weight of the truck. Essentially, the heavier the trash, the more the town has to pay. Removing heavy, wet waste such as food scraps from your trash can save the residents of the town of Kennebunk quite a bit of money.

It has been estimated that 40% of solid waste collected is food waste that can be recycled. We could be paying 40% less for the disposal of trash. I believe residents must seek ways to remove food waste from their solid waste so that we can all save money as costs inevitably increase.

Backyard composting is an option for residents, as is bringing your food waste to the Kennebunk Transfer Station at 36 Sea Road for disposal.

Please visit the Maine DEP’s website for information on backyard food waste composting at www.maine.gov/dep/sustainability/compost/index.html. Or visit the town of Kennebunk’s website for information regarding food waste composting at the transfer station, www.kennebunkmaine.us/620/Kitchen-Composting.

Lisa Pratt

Kennebunk

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