Ecoverde creates soil from food waste

Ecoverde's owner, Warren Emblidge, had a vision: use community wide waste to produce nutrient-rich soil. Ecoverde began in East Aurora last year, and in Western New York, it's the only one of its kind.

The compost site transforms manure, yard and local food waste into high-end gardening soil. By composting, there's a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions like methane and a better yield for crops. 

“We have more buyers for our product than we have product," Emblidge said. “We’re doing this for the planet, the people and for profit, we really have a hybrid investment.” 

Emblidge has been targeting local businesses to promote community coalescence. Nursing homes and restaurants like Elm Street Bakery have been supplying Ecoverde with a large amount of their own food waste. 

Owner of Elm Street Bakery, Kim Deperno, said that Ecoverde picks up a few full garbage cans atleast two times a week and that 99 percent of their food waste ends up at their compost site. 

“I think our planet is asking us, we can no longer throw away food that can be made into soil," Deperno said. “It morally bother me when something is thrown out when it can be recycled, or is not composted when it can be.” 

Emblidge's agricultural consultant, John Deibel, said their soon-to-be enterprise wouldn't be where it is today without the generous help from the Carr family, owners of the land the compost site sits on. 

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