R and J in the USA

Throughout the trip, we have luckily run into some kind of option for disposing of our 5-gallon bucket of food waste we have been composting. In addition to making Julie happy philosophically, this significantly cuts down on our garbage and keeps the van from smelling like rotting food, which is nice. 

Before our trip, we asked the company that picks up our weekly food waste for an extra 5-gallon bucket to take on the road and we stocked up on compostable trash bags to line the bucket. As an extra measure we sprinkle wood shavings (think hamster cage bedding) over every couple of inches of our food waste in the bucket. Our van has remained fruit fly and stink free as a result. Other than the space the bucket takes up under our table, it’s been an easy and simple way to manage what could have become a smelly and messy component of van life. 

When we hit the road, we crossed our fingers that we’d find places to dump the food waste. So far, it has worked out quite auspiciously. The first time our bucket was full, a friendly farmer in New Jersey welcomed us to add our food waste to his yard waste pile. Since then, we’ve found help from municipal sources. We were not surprised that Vermont had food waste compost buckets right alongside their dumpsters and recycling bins in their state parks. We were surprised, however, to see a big green municipal “Food Waste Only” compost bin behind the grocery store in Petoskey, Michigan. It was a natural foods store, so that makes more sense. But it did seem to be part of a large-scale composting operation. It was perfect timing, as our 5-gallon bucket was filled to the top after eight states without dumping it. We were even more surprised when we hit Minnesota with a bucket in deep need of being emptied and found that Minnesota was completely on it. They have a full-fledged municipal compost system in the Twin Cities, complete with 24/7 food waste drop off sites peppered throughout the area that even supply extra compostable trash bags. Way to go Minnesota. 

Overall, we have taken a winging it approach to our compost strategy. Thanks to the various programs forming across the country, it’s worked out well so far.