Eating fresh produce straight out of the garden is one of my favorite things about summer. Beyond enjoying delicious food, I also “close the recycling loop.” How? By composting food scraps and then using this compost to help my garden grow.

By “closing the loop,” I mean recycling and then using items made with recycled content. For example, I compost tomato stems, onion skins, corn cobs and other food scraps in my compost bin. In the spring, I use this compost in my garden and benefit from healthy, vibrant crops. Then I compost the food scraps and the cycle continues.

You don’t have to compost at home to close the loop. Simply put your food scraps in your grey food scraps/yard waste cart and let someone else do the work. Cedar Grove Composting makes compost out of your food scraps and sells it in bulk or in bags at local retailers where you can then pick it up for your garden. See? You closed the loop.

By composting your unwanted food scraps, you’re taking something recyclable and putting it back into use.

Another benefit of composting is the potential to save money on your garbage bill. It’s estimated that over one-third of the waste we throw away is compostable. Each individual situation will vary, but by adding food waste and other organics — like pizza boxes and paper towels — to your yard waste cart, you could drop down a can size and save money on your garbage bill.

So why waste a good thing? Recycle your food scraps and help spin the “cycle” that makes recycling work.

Jeanette Brizendine is the Solid Waste and Recycling Project Manager for the City of Federal Way. Contact: (253) 835-2771 or jeanette.brizendine@cityoffederalway.com, or visit www.cityoffederalway.com/recycling