Destiny USA launches composting program

A new composting policy was implemented on July 2nd for all restaurant and food court tenants. Destiny USA commenced this initiative with the collection of pre-consumer food scraps, from kitchen preparation, and plans to expand to post-consumer food scrap collection soon after. The centers official composting meeting kickoff was held on June 28th for food court and restaurant tenants. Participants in the program include Starbucks, Cajun Café, Sbarro, Arby's, Ruby Tuesday, Auntie Anne's, Mr. Smoothie, The Melting Pot, Karmelcorn, Pizzeria UNO's, Koto Japanese Steakhouse, Panera Bread, Johnny Rockets, Taco Bell, Popeyes, Subway and Regal Cinemas, among others. Representatives from the Onondaga County Resource Recovery Agency (OCRRA) and Waste Management were also present to answer any tenant questions. Destiny USA's composting program has had tremendous success in its first three weeks composting more than 5 tons of food waste and organics. The facility is on track to compost 100 tons of food waste annually. "We're very excited to introduce the composting program to Destiny USA" Dee Ingersoll, the housekeeping manager, said. "The majority of what food court and restaurant tenants put in the trash is actually compostable. We are fortunate to have access to OCRRA's facilities and a strong existing program to help support this new initiative." "OCRRA is glad to partner with and assist with the food waste to compost program at all Carousel Center/ Destiny USA food establishments and restaurants," David Nettle of OCRRA said. "The program is bound for success with the sincere commitment of the Destiny USA housekeeping team and the employees of each food generating business to properly separate food and other kitchen generated material from the waste stream. Working together, the food waste and other compostable material collected will be turned into a nutrient rich soil amendment that is used by individuals and organizations throughout our community. OCRRA would like to thank Brandon Munger and Dee Ingersoll of Destiny USA with embracing this green initiative at the mall and removing this valuable material out of the waste stream. Adding this additional volume of organic material also helps support OCRRA's expanding compost site operations." Destiny USA, will be working with OCRRA and Waste Management to get this initiative in place. Waste Management will collect food scrap from the facility in special lock-and-seal bins. The food scrap will then be taken to an OCRRA composting facility in Camillus, NY on Airport Road. OCRRA compost meets the US Composting Council's Seal of Testing Assurance, meaning that their compost is consistently high-grade. This is in addition to meeting all N.Y Department of Environmental Conservation and U.S Environmental Protection Agency composting requirements.