Hy-Vee starts composting pilot project in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids

Iowa City and Cedar Rapids Hy-Vee stores will start composting food waste, produce and floral trimmings through a pilot project.

Green RU, a Des Moines-based organics recycler, will pick up the waste from Hy-Vee stores and haul it to compost facilities in Iowa City, Cedar Rapids and Eddyville, said Demetrios Hadjis, regional sales and marketing director for Green RU.

Hy-Vee officials would like to see how the pilot works before deciding whether to expand composting to more of its 230 stores in eight Midwestern states, Hy-Vee Spokeswoman Ruth Comer said.

“We have high hopes for the program,” she said.

The program will not replace Hy-Vee's donations of edible food to shelters, food banks and food rescues like Table to Table, Comer said. The compost project will focus on food that is past expiration or plants that are not edible, such as floral trimmings.

Other stores, including Walmart and Sam's Club, have been composting food waste for several years.