Batavia panel wants curbside food scrap collection option

The Batavia Environmental Commission wants the city to offer a new service - curbside food scrap collection - when it signs a new garbage contract later this year.

Commissioner Abby Baker Tuesday presented the goals list to aldermen:

• Food scrap composting. Besides the curbside program, the commission is working on having a test program at the farmers market this summer.

• Add curbside hazardous household waste collection to the new garbage contract.

• Apply for designation as a Walk Friendly city.

• Re-establish a campaign to get drivers to turn off their vehicles when waiting to pick up their children at school.

• Install native plants in a stormwater retention area at Batavia High School.

• To have the city sign the Greenest Region Compact 2 of the Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. The compact addresses climate, economic development, energy, land, leadership, mobility, municipal operations, sustainable communities, waste and recycling, and water.

The commission - established in 2006 - meets at 7 p.m. the second Wednesday of the month at city hall, 100 N. Island Ave.

The commission last Saturday held its annual "Green Night At the Movies," where it showed a documentary about food waste. It has arranged sales of rain barrels, conducted expositions on environment-conscious living, has "Green Drinks" casual presentations about environmental issues, and other activities.