Dive Brief:
- Deschutes Recycling processes recyclables at the Knott landfill in Bend, OR. But workers also tend to an adjacent garden, cultivating vegetables and pulling weeds from the plot.
- The crops grown on the site -- nearly 1,200 pounds of different varieties of vegetables -- are donated to local food banks in the area. The garden yields potatoes, corn, carrots, tomatoes, and more.
- The garden was started four or five years ago, according to Brad Bailey, the president of Deschutes Recycling.
Dive Insight:
Landfills across the U.S. have been re-purposed for alternative uses. The Pitkin County landfill in Colorado is considering the construction of an on-site greenhouse, citing the numerous benefits of having a growing dome garden located at the landfill.
The food cultivated at the Bend landfill is donated through NeighborImpact, an organization that distributes food to regional food banks. The vegetables are transported to 40 different agencies; a majority of the food pantries have trouble keeping fresh food on hand.
In June, Feeding America partnered with food industry groups to launch a toolkit that helps food producers reduce food waste. The kit encourages food donation and offers tips about connecting with various organizations that accept fresh produce.