Online Survey Available Until May 31 in English and Spanish

DURHAM, N.C. – What do you think about food waste and composting? If you take the City of Durham’s new online survey, you could win a $100 Visa gift card just for sharing your thoughts.

Composting is the gathering and mixing of yard and/or food waste in order to convert it over time to crumbly, rich, brown material suitable for building better soils and growing healthier plants. A Waste Characterization Study conducted in 2015 discovered that nearly 30 percent of landfilled material from Durham residents is food and soiled paper, most of which can potentially be composted.

The City’s Solid Waste Management Department is now seeking to better understand the food waste and composting habits of city residents. To help collect this information, an online Compost Survey has been created in both English and Spanish and is now available until May 31.

“Whether you care nothing about composting or you’re an expert, we want to hear from all communities in Durham,” said Senior Assistant Solid Waste Manager Muriel Williman with the City’s Solid Waste Management Department. “Whether you live in a condo, apartment or house, own or rent, compost in your backyard or use a compost collection service, or never thought of food waste in your life…this survey is for you.”

According to Williman, those who complete the survey will be entered to win one-of-three $100 Visa gift cards in a random drawing. There is also an opportunity for survey participants to provide more information about their composting habits by opting-in for follow-up research interviews. According to Williman, the data collected will help create an accurate assessment of current attitudes and activities held about composting and food waste by residents throughout Durham. 

The online survey was created with support from the City’s Innovation Team (I-Team) and the Duke Center for Advanced Hindsight. For more information about the composting survey, contact Williman at (919) 560-4186, ext. 32255 or by email.

About the City of Durham Solid Waste Management Department

The Solid Waste Management Department promotes and supports a high quality of life for the residents of Durham by providing comprehensive, responsive, environmentally-safe, efficient and cost-effective solid waste collection, recycling and disposal programs. Department services include roll-out cart collection, cart delivery and repair service, cardboard collection, yard waste collection, waste reduction and recycling, bulky item pick-up, and disposal services. The Department supports the City’s Strategic Plan by providing professional management that contributes to creating thriving, livable neighborhoods as well as an innovative and high-performing organization.