STRATTON — Stratton Mountain Resort is the only Vermont organization to be recognized this year by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for efforts in diverting food waste.
Stratton is among the 24 organizations recognized in the EPA's annual “Food Recovery Challenge,” which collectively diverted over 38,000 tons of food to donation or composting in 2014.
In efforts to reduce landfill waste and contribute to a sustainable environment, Stratton composted 19.10 tons of food in the 2014-15 winter season.
According to the EPA, “diverting food waste from landfills ... reduces the generation of harmful gases that contribute to climate change.” Compost can be used as nutrient rich soil, helps aid forest restoration, and can eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.
Stratton Mountain Club's dining crew have been composting for about two years. They send food scraps from the dining facilities to 38 gallon food totters where it becomes compost, and take it to a farm in upstate New York.