Each month, we will highlight community heroes that are making a difference in their communities and working to make their local environments cleaner and healthier.
This month, we are taking a look at Dirt Wain in IN!
Dirt Wain is a composting service based in Fort Wayne, IN who are a group of dedicated professionals committed to helping businesses and organizations reduce their environmental impact and support sustainability. From compost collection and windrow management to consulting and public speaking, they have the expertise and resources to meet your needs. Biobag Associate spoke to Brett with Dirt Wain about the organization. Their interview is transcribed below.
What led you to start your composting operation?
There is a lot of redevelopment and economic investment in Fort Wayne. The City has turned itself around from Rust Belt to whatever it is becoming. Indiana has an abysmal record of low wages and high pollution and we hope to impact this by insisting on a cleaner place to live as our prospects are elevated. Composting is one big component of this.
Dirt Wain's journey to becoming a leader in composting and sustainability began in 2019, when we started out with nothing but a homemade bike cart and a dream of making our region cleaner and healthier. With hard work and dedication, we've come a long way from servicing just 6 households in one neighborhood.
Who do you serve and how can people get in touch with you if they want to start composting?
We compost food scraps, yard waste, and pet waste. Our subscribers are households, apartment complexes, churches, schools, commercial kitchens, large factories, coffee shops, grocery stores and more.
PooPeePet - For pet owners looking to minimize their environmental footprint, considering composting dog and cat waste, along with compostable cat litter, can make a significant difference. This eco-conscious practice not only addresses waste management while reducing your household's impact, but also generates nutrient-rich compost that enriches ornamental plant growth. However, it's important to remember that this compost is best suited for plants and not intended for food production. https://www.dirtwain.com/poo-pee-pet
At Dirt Wain, we pride ourselves on our Real Recycling services, dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by difficult-to-recycle items. We go beyond conventional recycling by tackling hard-to-handle materials like plastic film, batteries, and corks, ensuring their responsible and transparent processing. Our commitment to Real Recycling isn't just about collecting waste; it's about guaranteeing a verified recycling journey for every item we handle. With stringent verification processes and trusted partnerships, we assure our customers that these challenging materials are recycled properly, providing peace of mind while contributing to a cleaner, greener future. https://www.dirtwain.com/real-recycling
How much organic material do you typically take in on a weekly basis?
5-6 tons.
Feel free to add any additional information about your operation as you see fit.
Today, we proudly serve more than 10 municipalities—composting their food scraps, yard waste, and pet waste—thanks in part to our unwavering commitment to the environment and our excellent customer service. But no matter how much we grow, we'll always stay true to our roots and keep working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the world around us.
At Dirt Wain, we are all about building a strong, supportive community that is committed to environmental responsibility and sustainability. We understand that composting is more than just a way to reduce waste—it's a powerful tool for combatting climate change. That's why we're dedicated to bringing composting education and resources to as many people as possible, and fostering a culture of waste reduction and reusability. We believe that when we all work together, we can make a real difference for the planet and future generations. Join us and let's take climate action together!
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