The Town of Cary has been awarded the Organics Diversion Program of the Year Award by the U.S. Composting Council (USCC), marking a significant achievement in Cary's commitment to sustainability and waste diversion. This award, presented annually at the USCC’s Annual Conference and Tradeshow, held in Phoenix this year, recognizes outstanding achievements in the composting industry and is one of the most prestigious honors in the field.
Cary is the first municipality to receive this award. Jenna Kostka, festivals and events supervisor, and Srijana Guilford, waste strategy and community impact consultant, nominated and received this award on Cary’s behalf.
“We’re thrilled and honored to be recognized by the U.S. Composting Council for our work in organics diversion,” Guilford said. “This award reflects the dedication of our community, staff, and partners in creating sustainable waste management practices that reduce landfill waste and benefit local agriculture.”
Cary’s path to earning the Organics Diversion Program of the Year Award is built on two key initiatives: its popular Lazy Daze and Spring Daze festivals, and its year-round food waste drop-off program. Both programs work in tandem to engage residents and event-goers, promote sustainability, and reduce waste sent to landfills.
“Our Lazy Daze and Spring Daze festivals have been a key part of our strategy to engage the community in sustainability efforts,” Kostka said. “By integrating composting into these high-traffic events, we’re able to directly educate thousands of people about waste diversion and the importance of composting.”
In 2024, Cary’s low-waste initiatives at festivals achieved an impressive 95% compliance rate among food vendors, contributing to the collection of over 4,000 pounds of compostable material at Lazy Daze alone — surpassing the total trash output. We value the support of local businesses and non-profits, including Toward Zero Waste and Compost Now, as Cary grows these programs in the community. This material and all of the organics collected at Cary’s drop-off sites are transformed into nutrient-rich compost locally. A portion of the finished compost is used at Cary's Good Hope Farm to support urban agriculture.
Cary’s integrated approach to composting — combining large-scale public events with a permanent food waste drop-off program — is a model that other communities can emulate. With impressive results in both diversion rates and community engagement, Cary’s composting efforts reflect the town’s broader commitment to environmental stewardship and sustainability.
Key highlights of Cary’s composting success include:
- 317,497 pounds (159 tons) of food waste diverted from landfills since 2022
- 30 tons of finished compost donated to Good Hope Farm to support local agriculture
- Over 38,000 drop-offs recorded at the initial food waste drop-off site
- 95% vendor compliance with composting standards at Lazy Daze and Spring Daze festivals
- 4,000 pounds of food waste collected at the Lazy Daze festival was diverted from landfills
“This recognition from the U.S. Composting Council is a testament to Cary’s commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility,” said Danna Widmar, assistant town manager. “The success of our composting initiatives reflects the hard work and creativity of our staff and the strong support of our residents. By integrating composting into our community’s major events and everyday practices, we are not only diverting waste but also setting an example for other municipalities to follow in creating a more sustainable future.”
For more information on Cary’s composting initiatives, visit Cary’s Composting webpage.
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