Food Scrap Compost Drop-Off Site Closing

A Crossroads Habitat Healers volunteer shovels compost. Submitted.

Crossroads is closing its food scrap compost site to the public effective Nov. 6. 

Several factors led Crossroads to this decision, including its proximity to the City of Sturgeon Bay’s industrial compost site for yard waste; its proximity to another Door Community Compost Initiative [DCCI] food scrap drop-off site; and the organization’s land management goals. 

“Crossroads receives federal, state, and private grants, all aiming to restore and sustain the health of Crossroads properties,” said Crossroads executive director Samantha Koyen. “The best way to do that is to control the source of biomass entering our preserves.”

The organization will continue to sell DCCI buckets and compost its own materials to continue nutrient cycling on the preserve.

“We 100% understand and appreciate the Crossroads decision and rationale to not continue with the food scrap depositing on their important conservation site,” said Jeff Lutsey, executive director of the Climate Change Coalition of Door County (CCC), which coordinates the DCCI. 

Lutsey said the CCC appreciates all that Crossroads does in the way of environmental education and action, including compost education. This has included compost potlucks and education events with experts. 

“In the last year, they’ve helped communicate, promote and boost our young Door County Community Compost Initiative program, and have increased our number of Door County composters significantly,” he said. 

The DCCI network currently has 11 food scrap-composting sites throughout the county. Lutsey said they are seeking input as they look for another food scrap compost site or two, especially in the geographical areas around Fish Creek/ Ephraim and/or southern Egg Harbor, where he said he knows there is interest and need.

For more information, go to climatechangedoorcounty.com.