» LOCAL FOCUS: Check out this new Springfield gallery that focuses on local artists
David Andre, the owner of Econopia and operator of the facility, said the money will be used to purchase the composting drums the site will use to contain their materials.
“The Market Development Program deals very specifically with purchasing equipment,” he said. “We’re planning to have two 8-foot-wide by 40-foot-long composting drums here on site and that will be the heart of the facility.”
Andre said the compostery is a new style of compost site which hasn’t been tried before.
“What we’re doing here is looking to establish proof of concept for a different flavor of composting facility,” he said. “Food waste composting in the state of Ohio is usually done on a very large scale 40 miles outside of town in the countryside. We are proving a concept here where we’re trying to do food waste composting in an urban setting that doesn’t provide a nuisance for the neighborhood.”
» READ MORE: Urbana lawmaker introduces controversial abortion bill in Ohio
Andre said he is looking forward to interacting with the community more as the construction process continues. In the meantime, he said he is more than willing to help teach the community more about composting and what the aim of the new facility is.
“As much as 71 percent of what goes in the landfill today could be composted,” he said. “We 100 percent are focused on trying to solve that problem, so we need your help in getting that material out our of your trash can and into our compost bins.”
» READ MORE: Local woman sparks Springfield’s version of the ‘Black Panther Challenge’
About the Author