Food Waste Recycling　Composting in Cold Regions!

Taking Care of Our Own Waste With Our Own Hands

Until now, food waste from four neighboring municipalities was jointly processed at a food recycling center.
However, due to the aging machinery no longer being able to process waste, Kimobetsu Town decided to promote its own recycling through composting, believing that “the municipality should be responsible for processing food waste”. Currently, waste from the neighboring Rusutsu Village is also being accepted and processed.

It requires little effort and also suppresses bad odors

In planning the facility, it was very important to gain the understanding of local residents.
Both town officials and nearby residents were given the opportunity to visit other facilities that had introduced the EasyJet system, and once they were convinced that “this can operate without odor issues”, we were able to proceed smoothly with the construction.
There have been no complaints from neighbors, and in fact, there is no ammonia smell in the facility.
Additionally, the lack of complex auxiliary equipment significantly reduced the initial costs. The operation on-site is also hassle-free, which has been a great help.

The introduction of the facility has increased our connection with the local community.

In this area, temperatures drop significantly during winter. This winter, we recorded minus 32℃, but we have consistently been able to compost over 42 days throughout the year.
During the winter, when compost spreading is not possible, we use the finished compost within the facility, and since the moisture content of the finished compost is stable, we have never had to limit its acceptance.
By introducing the facility, we have been able to utilize local bark, secure employment opportunities, and distribute compost to residents for free, strengthening our ties with the community. This has been a significant change.
In the spring, many residents come to collect compost, and the 300 tons of food waste processed annually are smoothly composted and fully returned to the community.

Even small municipalities can form a circular society

In the future, I hope that we can find opportunities to reuse various types of waste from the region, not just food waste but also sludge and other materials.
By utilizing our own waste as compost and making the composting facility an indispensable part of the community, it will become more familiar and accessible to the townspeople.
Ultimately, I want the facility to be one that is appreciated by the local residents.

Summary

Mr. Kawada, who said, “In the past, each household used to handle their own waste”.
He mentioned that from now on, by using their own waste as compost, their awareness of waste disposal will change, and as a result, they will naturally be able to produce good compost.
I strongly felt that MIRAIE’s role is not just to compost, but also to help give back to the community.