Our Solution
Painted Bins uses children’s art on compost bins to prevent food waste from going to the landfill and to close the loop on the recycling of food while helping cities lead by example in the fight against food waste.
Reduce, reuse, compost
The easiest way for individuals to reduce food waste is to purchase only what is needed and to use what food they have. Reducing and reusing food purchases is always preferable over the recycling of food (or any item, for that matter), which occurs when it is placed into the compost bin.
Placing food scraps into composting bins is an action every individual can take to help slow global warming. According to the UN, reducing methane-based emissions such as those released from food waste in the landfill is the quickest way to slow global warming.
Statewide waste law mandating composting for all Californians
California recognized that it needed to help slow global warming and identified food waste as an important waste stream to divert from the landfill. In 2016, Governor Brown established methane emissions reduction targets for California through Senate Bill 1383 (“SB 1383”). The bill calls for a 75% reduction of organic waste, which is primarily food waste, by 2025, as compared to 2014 levels. California counties are required to work with their jurisdictions to plan for the necessary organic waste recycling and landfill diversion.
Composting food waste
Food waste collected in the compost bin is organic waste. It is often made into compost or bioenergy and biofuel. By composting food waste, methane emissions are significantly reduced. A study by Project Drawdown found that composting organic waste can reduce carbon-dioxide type greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%. The compost can be used as fertilizers or soil nutrients and has many benefits, including the fact that it provides carbon sequestration and improves the retention of water in soils.
“[Painted Bins is] a wonderful project that includes inspiring children in environmental stewardship, art and beautifying our local parks.”
— Zero Waste Marin: Casey Poldino, Sr. Planner
Painted Bins: The solution for proper food disposal in public areas
The inspirational children’s art on Painted Bins conveys a message about the impact of our disposal decisions upon our earth, seas, and our world. It turns an ordinary trash can into a piece of art tempting passersby to stop, look at the artwork, and learn the concerns of our children.