Recycle Revolution's Unique Curbside Composting Program

Recycling Food Waste Has Never Been This Easy

 A Dallas-based organization is providing a simple way for businesses and residents to work towards a sustainable future. Recycle Revolution accepts a range of items, including the hard-to-recycle ones like Styrofoam and food waste. More importantly, they are truly non-landfill in an area where recycling companies haven’t always lived up to the name. 

At the helm is Eddie Lott, who first started recycling while living in Sao Paulo. “Recycling was not mandatory in Brazil, but the specific apartment building we lived in was a big proponent of it, to the point that tenants could purportedly be fined for not recycling correctly,” he explains. “Growing up in Dallas, I’d never been exposed to that kind of systematic resource management before – there was no curbside recycling.”

When he returned to the U.S., Lott brought back what he’d learned about recycling and combating resource scarcity. After an internship with the Texas Campaign for the Environment, he started Recycle Revolution. 

Recycling Food Waste at a Commercial and Residential Level

So far this year, Recycle Revolution has diverted about 700,000 pounds of food waste from local landfills. And the amount is growing each month. 

“If you had told us in 2008, when the commercial recycling rate in Dallas was in the single digits, that we’d be on pace to divert anywhere near 1,000 tons of food waste per year just 10 years later, we’d have never believed you. I think that as a community we have a lot to be proud of.”
Eddie Lott | Co-Founder, Recycle Revolution

With a new custom-designed truck specifically for food waste, recycling organic material is simpler than ever for business owners. Recycle Revolution will pick up food waste on designated “Collection Days” and transport the material to a certified commercial compost recycler. They currently deliver to Texas Worm Ranch, Texas Pure and Organix, but they’re excited to grow their network as new composters start operating.

And residents will soon be able to get involved too. After an increase in public demand for curbside composting, Recycle Revolution is stepping in with a re-launch of their residential food waste collection program. 

“It’s a little mind-numbing how much food goes uneaten in North Texas each year. We’re super excited about re-releasing the residential food waste program this summer – we think it meets our ‘easy, effective, responsible and affordable’ threshold.”
Eddie Lott | Co-Founder, Recycle Revolution

How Food Waste Is Recycled

There are currently two ways in which food can be recycled. 

Anaerobic Digestion: This system uses microorganisms like bacteria and actinomycetes to break down organics inside an oxygen-free enclosure. As the food is broken down, methane is released and captured. It can then be converted into biogas to create electricity, heat or fuel. The leftover digested food can be used as nutrient-rich fertilizer.

Composting: The more common method is composting, which involves mixing food waste and yard waste in an enclosure or compost pile. As materials naturally decompose, it can take anywhere from three months to a year to get finished, usable compost.  

What Can You Compost With Recycle Revolution?

“Generally speaking, if something is (safely) edible, we can accept it for composting. This includes meats, dairy product, oils, fats, sweets, powders and even things like bones and oyster shells.”
Eddie Lott | Co-Founder, Recycle Revolution

Other Compostable Items:

• Coffee Filters
• Tea Bags
• Paper Napkins
• Paper Bags
• Stale Bread, Pita Chips and Tortillas
• Toothpicks
• Bamboo Skewers
• Paper Cupcake or Muffin Cups

Joining the Recycle Revolution

If you’re a Dallas business owner concerned by the results of your waste audit –or just looking for a way to do good— investing in a service like Recycle Revolution can help you create a more sustainable and eco-friendly organization. Not only do they accept food waste, but you can also schedule one-time pickups for anything from books to electronics.

When using a compost service, Lott reminds people that this program is for compostable materials only. “The reason for this is nearly entirely labor-based: composting at a commercial scale requires a reliable, contamination-free stream.” With your help, Recycle Revolution can meet its goal to provide easy and affordable recycling services for businesses, apartments and – in the very near future – homeowners. 

This post is part of a series highlighting local organizations working to improve their community. If you are in the Dallas area, learn how you can get involved with Recycle Revolution.