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Resident urges Belmont to expand composting pilot; staff to add online sign‑up
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Summary
A member of the Environmental Sustainability Board told council the composting pilot has diverted nearly 48,000 pounds of food waste and urged the city to continue and publicize the fee‑based program; staff said a Public Works website sign‑up button and social posts are planned.
Belmont, N.C. — Maria Portone, a member of the Environmental Sustainability Board, asked the City Council on April 6 to continue and expand Belmont’s composting pilot, saying the program had diverted nearly 48,000 pounds of food waste since its August 2024 start.
Portone noted national and EPA figures on food waste and methane emissions and urged the council to increase sign‑up access, update web pages and publicize the program. “We’ve diverted almost 48,000 pounds of food waste from the landfill,” she said, adding that the program operates on a fee basis after a council vote in 2025.
Miles said staff have already placed a sign‑up button on the Public Works website similar to the yard‑waste bin request form and that social‑media reminders are scheduled for the month of April. He told the council that the online sign‑up (a Google form style) should be ready soon and that public‑works staff have been working on the implementation.
Council response: members thanked Portone and noted the program’s local interest. One council member suggested coordinating shared posts with Main Street and other downtown partners to broaden visibility. Staff committed to follow up and bring more information back to the council if needed.
Next steps: staff will confirm the web sign‑up is live and continue outreach via social channels and partner organizations.
