PRAIRIE VILLAGE, Mo. — Homeowners in Prairie Village will soon have the opportunity to try out several environmentally friendly curbside programs in 2020.
Monday, the City Council approved a six-month pilot program, which would start in February and last through the end of July.
Deputy City Administrator Jamie Robichaud said several city council members and the environmental committee recommended the city look at a program to offer curbside composting options.
The program will work directly with Compost Collective KC, GlassBandit and Republic Services.
Robichaud said the effort joins others the city has made over the past few years to reduce its carbon footprint.
"Our current mayor and many of our city council members have prioritized environmental stewardship and believe that the city plays a role in combating climate change at the local level," Robichaud said.
GlassBandit will offer curbside glass pickup bi-weekly to 198 homes selected in every city ward. The business would include a bin.
Compost Collective KC will offer curbside compost pickup bi-weekly to 94 homes selected in Wards 1, 2 and 3. The business would provide a bin.
Republic/Compost Connection will offer curbside compost pickup weekly to 104 homes selected in Wards 4, 5 and 6. The business would not provide a bin. Food compost would be able to be integrated with yard waste or placed in a bucket with a liner at the curb.
Meredith Evans McAllister, Compost Collective KC co-founder, started the business with her husband, Kyle McAllister, several years ago. They initially only served a handful of people and now provide service to throughout the Kansas City metro area.
"Food waste is growing in popularity and people are starting to realize how important it is to keep food waste out of the landfill," McAllister said.
Now that the pilot program was approved, the city will ask for feedback from homeowners and decide if it wants to move forward with a citywide program.
The pilot program costs $18,266, which would be absorbed into the city's solid waste fund.
Residents will have the option to opt out if they would like to.
