Recycling & Composting
Recycling and Composting… A Growing Idea
Composting and recycling are essential strategies in the global effort to reduce landfill waste and lower greenhouse gas emissions. In recent years, composting has emerged not only as a practical solution for managing organic waste but also as a meaningful act of environmental stewardship. The Kootenai Tribe of Idaho is leading the way locally with a forward-thinking composting and recycling project. Tribal citizens are actively composting food waste using in-home systems. Recycling cardboard efforts have been initiated through a partnership with TSWAN, a united Indian consortium on solid waste policy and environmental issues. The hope is to expand recycling to include other items as well. These actions reflect a growing commitment to sustainability and community-driven environmental responsibility.
The U.S. EPA Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grant awarded to the Tribe provide the funding needed for this project that includes composting in partnership with Sandpoint Organic Agricultural Center (SOAC). The operations are housed in a building and use a 20-foot-long, in-vessel composter manufactured by Green Mountain Technologies.
Operations began in January, 2026 and include food waste from Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort, Kootenai River Inn Springs Restaurant and Sonic Food. A large part of the needed wood product is sourced from Stimson Lumber.
