{"id":30886,"date":"2026-08-28T09:56:20","date_gmt":"2026-08-28T13:56:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ilsr.org\/?post_type=article&p=30886"},"modified":"2026-08-28T09:56:20","modified_gmt":"2026-08-28T13:56:20","slug":"case-study-cleveland-ohio","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/ilsr.org\/es\/article\/composting-for-community\/case-study-cleveland-ohio","title":{"rendered":"Partnerships Open Door to Land Access for Composting"},"template":"","class_list":["post-30886","article","type-article","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","article_type-case-study","initiatives-composting-for-community","topics-community-composting","impact_areas-climate-and-environmental-justice","impact_areas-democratic-governance","authors-nora-goldstein"],"acf":{"details":{"featured_image":30897,"background_color":"tan","article_type":[712],"initiative":15,"display_event_fields":false,"display_case_study_fields":false,"start_date":null,"end_date":null,"start_time":null,"end_time":null,"time_zone":"America\/New_York","virtual_event":false,"location":"","locality":"Cleveland","state":"Ohio","topics":[42],"impact_areas":[16,19],"abstract":"This case study is from the Keep Compost Local report featuring a public-private partnership between the City of Cleveland and Rust Belt Riders Composting LLC.","authors_tax":[701]},"sidebar":{"title":"\u00cdndice"},"page_layout":[{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"This case study was originally published in Mant\u00e9n el compost local<\/a>, a report offering survey data, case studies, and policy recommendations to equip governments to collaborate with local composters and foster community prosperity. <\/span>\u00a0<\/b><\/em>","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"Municipality and Interviewee:<\/strong> Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability, Sarah O\u2019Keeffe, Director of Sustainability & Climate Justice\r\n\r\nCompostador comunitario:<\/strong> Rust Belt Riders Composting LLC (Daniel Brown and Michael Robinson, Co-Founders)","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)<\/h3>\r\nThe City of Cleveland, Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability and Cleveland Metroparks<\/a> have partnered separately with Rust Belt Riders Composting LLC<\/a> (Rust Belt Riders) to provide food scraps drop-off services. Founded in 2014, Rust Belt Riders is now a worker-owned cooperative that offers curbside and drop-off food scraps collection to businesses, residents, schools, and other locations in Cleveland and the surrounding area. It uses several area composting facilities to process the food scraps collected. For a number of years, Rust Belt Riders has been seeking property for its own larger-sized composting facility in the City of Cleveland. In 2024, it identified an unused City-owned property that had formerly been a waste transfer station.\r\n\r\nIn March 2025, the Cleveland City Council authorized the City to enter into a ground lease with Rust Belt Riders for the use and occupancy of the unused six-acre City property. The worker-owned cooperative initially opted to lease the site from the City to be able to continue to partner on grant applications, but financing proved to be challenging without the land as collateral. In August 2025, the Cleveland City Council authorized the City to sell the parcel to Rust Belt Riders for fair market value, less environmental-related costs. The single location will house composting, soil blending, packaging, distribution, feedstock receiving, and a retail space to sell Rust Belt Rider\u2019s soil products. The projected project cost to operationalize the site is about $6.5 million.\r\n\r\nIn 2024, the Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability was awarded a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Composting for Food Waste Reduction (CFWR) grant for $340,961 to help the City expand residential food scraps drop-off locations, increase waste diversion and access to composting services, and provide subsidized monthly subscriptions to composting services to SNAP eligible households. The City partnered with Rust Belt Riders to establish eight new residential food scraps drop-off sites with the grant funds. The fee to use the drop-off sites is $12 per household per month. SNAP-eligible households who sign up for one of the 250 free memberships will also be able to use the eight existing Rust Belt Riders\u2019 drop-off sites within the City of Cleveland, for a total of 17 SNAP-eligible sites. Materials accepted include a wide range of food scraps, food-soiled paper, and BPI-certified compostable products.\r\n\r\nRust Belt Riders also has a partnership with Cleveland Metroparks to provide food scraps drop-off locations in 32 city parks. The partnership began in 2024. There is no contract between Rust Belt Riders and Metroparks. \u201cThe parks are host sites like others we have, so we have a very simple access agreement with Metroparks like we do with all of our other site hosts,\u201d explains Daniel Brown.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Municipal Motivation"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Municipal Motivation<\/h3>\r\nThe City of Cleveland\u2019s 2025 Climate Action Plan<\/a> (CAP) includes an objective to reduce solid waste sent to landfills by residents and businesses by 50% by 2035 (CAP goal 2, objective 6). A Community Priority in the CAP is to \u201crequire all new residential and commercial properties to have the infrastructure for recycling and food waste collection containers, along with their trash containers, and provide guidance retrofitting existing properties to meet these requirements.\u201d Having infrastructure in place in the city to collect and process food scraps is a cornerstone of meeting the CAP waste diversion goal and implementing the Community Priority. The Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability had experience working with Rust Belt Riders through a successful pilot<\/a> in 2022 to establish a food scraps program for the City-owned, 100-year-old West Side Market<\/a>, which features a variety of food vendors. A sole-source contract was awarded to Rust Belt Riders; the City paid for the program using a $60,000 grant awarded to Cleveland Neighborhood Progress by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Rid-All Green Partnership<\/a> (Rid-All), an urban agricultural center and community education hub in Cleveland, composted the collected food scraps.\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_30896\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"362\"]\"\" Rust Belt Riders team member overseeing production of tilth soil. Credit: Steven Springer, Rust Belt Riders[\/caption]\r\n\r\n\u201cThe role of government in this space, in my view, is to set up the public policy environment for businesses that want to push the envelope, especially on climate change and also addressing embedded environmental challenges,\u201d explains Sarah O\u2019Keeffe. \u201cWe want those businesses to survive in our current context. They need to show a return on investment. There is no reason they can\u2019t do that. And now, a worker owned enterprise is building a composting facility that will help the City achieve its climate goals. What could be better!\u201d She adds that having an existing relationship via partnerships with businesses like Rust Belt Riders is important: \u201cThe chance of something going sideways is diminished due to these relationships.\u201d","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_pullquote_feature","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_pullquote_feature":{"quote":"The role of government in this space, in my view, is to set up the public policy environment for businesses that want to push the envelope, especially on climate change and also addressing embedded environmental challenges. We want those businesses to survive in our current context. They need to show a return on investment. There is no reason they can\u2019t do that. And now, a worker-owned enterprise is building a composting facility that will help the City achieve its climate goals. What could be better!","image":"","attribution":"Sarah O\u2019Keeffe, Director of Sustainability & Climate Justice, Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_image_grid","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_image_grid":{"repeater":true,"images":null,"images_repeater":[{"image":30892,"caption":"Operations team member servicing drop-off toter. Credit: Steven Springer, Rust Belt Riders","link":""},{"image":30891,"caption":"Incoming food scraps pile. Credit: Steven Springer, Rust Belt Riders","link":""},{"image":30893,"caption":"Team member transferring collected food waste. Credit: Steven Springer, Rust Belt Riders","link":""}],"ratio":"normal","width":"full"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"USDA Grant Logistics"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

USDA Grant Logistics<\/h3>\r\nThe Mayor\u2019s Office of Sustainability\u2019s positive experience with Rust Belt Riders and Rid-All for the West Side Market led the City to include their services in the USDA grant application. The new drop-off sites established with the USDA grant funds have been selected to ensure equitable access to drop-off infrastructure, aligning with the City\u2019s 15-minute city index<\/a> for maximum geographic and population coverage, notes O\u2019Keeffe. The Office of Sustainability collaborated with the City\u2019s Department of Urban Analytics & Innovation, using GIS maps with population density and public transit accessibility data to identify locations. Included in those selected are several neighborhood resource and recreation centers and community development corporations. \u201cOur goal is that by the end of the USDA-funded program in 2026, 90% of Cleveland\u2019s population will have access in less than a 15-minute walk from a drop-off location,\u201d says O\u2019Keeffe.\r\n\r\nThe grant funds cover expanding the City\u2019s existing educational composting training programs and establishing a Community Compost Ambassadors program conducted by the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District, with at least one Ambassador trained and active throughout the grant period in each food scraps drop-off area (17 total). A $1,400 annual stipend is being paid to resident Compost Ambassadors. The City is managing the public awareness campaigns and is tracking the impact in terms of quantity and quality of public engagement. Rid-All is involved in workforce development, facilitating creation of composting-related green jobs. Rid-All\u2019s training program had 12 compost trainees, who processed food scraps dropped off at its urban farm in early 2025. A second cohort will be formed in early 2026.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Composting Site Development"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Composting Site Development<\/h3>\r\nTo arrive at the point of getting the City Council\u2019s approval of the lease in spring 2025, Rust Belt Riders appeared before six different Council committees, including city planning, finance, and public works. \u201cI had to go in front of them in a certain order,\u201d says Brown. \u201cWe\u2019ve completed the remediation phase of the site and have done geotechnical surveys of the property to determine the weight capacity. The asphalt is very old, and we need to replace it before any construction can get started.\u201d The property is zoned appropriately for composting. Rust Belt Riders needs a Type 2 permit from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to accept all types of food scraps. The facility is being sized to process 5,000 tons per year of food scraps.\r\n\r\nCompost produced at the new facility will be certified for use in organic agriculture, yielding a higher value per cubic yard, adds Brown. \u201cIt\u2019s equivalent to selling $100 worth of compost that we are able to produce for $10.\u201d\r\n\r\nRust Belt Riders is raising money to help cover capital costs for the new facility by issuing a new set of shares that impact investors, individuals, and organizations can buy. \u201cIt functions like a debt instrument, but these investors get board representation,\u201d explains Michael Robinson. \u201cWe are\r\nunwavering in our commitment to being a worker-owned enterprise, which is not venture capital friendly.\u201d The Cleveland Foundation has given Rust Belt Riders $750,000 at 3.5% interest, which gives the company a good start. The City of Cleveland is providing $50,000.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Contractual Agreements"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Contractual Agreements<\/h3>\r\nRust Belt Riders\u2019 contract with the City of Cleveland expires at the end of the USDA CFWR grant funding period on May 31, 2026. The drop-off site infrastructure deployed will remain in place through the end of 2026.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Composting Activity"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Composting Activity<\/h3>\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_30894\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"308\"]\"\" Educational signage at food scraps drop-off site. Credit: Steven Springer, Rust Belt Riders[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOnly preconsumer food scraps will be accepted at the new composting facility, along with wood chips and other carbon amendments. Rust Belt Riders has existing clients who generate preconsumer feedstocks that are very clean, essentially eliminating challenges with contamination. Postconsumer food scraps collected at the drop-off locations are hauled to the Earth \u2018n Woods composting facility in Peninsula, Ohio.\r\n\r\nThe property has an 8,000-square-foot building with \u201cfour walls and a leaky roof\u201d that will be used for the company\u2019s retail store. In Phase I, a pre-constructed steel structure is being built to house an aerated static pile system with reverse aeration to control odors. The steel structure (versus fabric) is necessary in order to put solar panels on the roof. Rust Belt Riders is installing heat recovery equipment supplied by Agrilab Technologies. The recovered heat will be used in a building housing its bagging operations. Curing and screening will take place outdoors.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Outreach & Education"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Outreach & Education<\/h3>\r\nBoth the City of Cleveland and Rust Belt Riders are involved in outreach and education, including social media posts, for the food scraps drop-off locations. Recreation Centers were given large-format posters to promote the program.\r\n\r\nThe City of Cleveland attended tabling and outreach events. Compost Ambassadors are also a large part of outreach and education, attending events in their neighborhoods. Compost Ambassadors check the site monthly and make sure everything is in working order, and assist neighbors with questions.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Compost Markets"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Compost Markets<\/h3>\r\nThe City of Cleveland has not had a contract to procure compost from Rust Belt Riders in the past, although it does purchase compost for tree remediation and to green vacant properties.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Costs & Benefits: City of Cleveland"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Costs & Benefits: City of Cleveland<\/h3>\r\nThe City of Cleveland does not have its own infrastructure for food scraps diversion, and relies in part on grants to offer services to residents. Having existing relationships via partnerships with businesses like Rust Belt Riders and nonprofit organizations like Rid-All enables the City to work toward reaching its Climate Action Plan goal of reducing solid waste sent to landfills by residents and businesses by 50% by 2035. According to Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District\u2019s Annual Report<\/a>, the City of Cleveland sent over 133,000 tons to the landfill in 2024. That same year, reports the District, less than 1% (1,124 tons) of organics were recycled.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"Costs & Benefits: Rust Belt Riders"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

Costs & Benefits: Rust Belt Riders<\/h3>\r\nParticipation in the USDA CFWR grant builds on Rust Belt Riders\u2019 preference to use drop-off sites to collect residential food scraps. Of its approximately 4,000 residential subscribers, 90% are signed up for drop-off and 10% subscribe to curbside service. It also services about 315 commercial food scraps generators, some with multiple locations. \u201cThe fact that we still do pick up is a holdover,\u201d says Robinson. \u201cHouseholds that subscribe are willing to pay for the convenience at a cost of $45 per month. If we have a good enough margin, we will continue to offer it.\u201d\r\n\r\nSubscribers to its drop-off program all pay $12 per month for access. That includes contracts Rust Belt Riders has with other municipal governments in the region. \u201cThe $12 fee is based on our configuration of service and the total amount of money we need to continue building out the program in other jurisdictions,\u201d explains Robinson. \u201cWe are treating municipal contracts like our commercial contracts, charging cities by the tote for pickup. Key is to show the economic benefit from this kind of arrangement.\u201d He adds that the City of Shaker Heights<\/a> received a grant from the Cuyahoga County Solid Waste District and is able to offer residents food scraps drop-off for free.\r\n\r\nThe new composting facility is expected to increase the company\u2019s efficiency and will create jobs, especially when it is operating at full capacity. \u201cJob growth equates to revenues, so to the extent that the new site brings in more money at full capacity, we could support a total of 50 full-time employees from our current 30,\u201d says Brown.","":null,"settings":""}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_anchor","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_anchor":{"title":"PPP Lessons Learned"}},{"acf_fc_layout":"layout_wysiwyg","_acfe_flexible_toggle":null,"component_wysiwyg":{"content":"

PPP Lessons Learned<\/h3>\r\nCity of Cleveland:<\/strong> Public-private partnerships are helping decrease greenhouse gas emissions, a key goal for the City of Cleveland. Among the City\u2019s lessons learned are:\r\n