Park Ridge Update: Franchise Agreement Extended

Written By Mary Beth Schaye

Good news! The Village of Park Ridge has extended our franchise agreement for another two years—through April 2026.

These franchise agreements really work. We know that composting, in general, is becoming more mainstream. But we also know that the communications that municipalities do on our behalf give you more confidence in our container-swap service and reach more people.

Thank you to Go Green Park Ridge for bringing us to Park Ridge in 2017 and thank you to the Sustainability Commission for helping us secure the franchise agreement in 2022.

 We want to share the current stats with you and also share ideas of how we can pull together and make even more of an impact in the next two years.

Park Ridge by the Numbers

132—Current number of customers in Park Ridge
4—Neighbor Totes in Park Ridge backyards
57—Tons of food scraps diverted by Park Ridge customers since 2022, when our franchise agreement began
114,000—Pounds of food scraps diverted by Park Ridge customers since 2022. Tons can be hard to imagine. 
2—Schools
1—Faith community
0—Businesses

Schools

Maine East High School, since April 2023
Maine South High School, since April 2023

Faith Communities

Park Ridge Presbyterian Church, since September 2022
As you can see we have plenty of room to grow. Wondering how you can help? Bring composting to your place of work, to your faith community, to your school community and encourage your neighbors to join you.

Community Involvement

We’ve said yes to every opportunity we’ve been invited to participate in in Park Ridge, but maybe there are more that we’re not aware of. Here’s where we’ve been the last couple of years. Where would you like to see us in 2024?

2023

August 2023—Tabling at Park Ridge Farmers,
Market/Children’s Tent with Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition
June 2023—Tabling at Park Ridge Community Health Fair with Go Green Park Ridge and Midwest Grows Green
March 2023—Tabling at One Earth Film Fest screening at Maine South High School
October 2023—Presentation at United Methodist Church

 2022

November 2022—Tabling at Park Ridge Pumpkin Smash
August 2022—Vine Street BBQ, Zero Waste Event
July 2022—Tabling at Park Ridge Farmers Market/Children’s Tent with Illinois Food Scrap and Composting Coalition

Mary Beth Schaye

Mary Beth strongly believes that “It’s always better to be doing something rather than nothing.” If you’re thinking of composting at home, she can help you work out what your particular “something” can be. She’s confident a solution can be tailored to fit anyone’s needs and ambitions. “Anyone who eats can be a CRI customer, whether you are an individual or a large organization. I want you to understand the advantages of composting, and I can show you how CRI can make it easy.” Mary Beth has successfully designed waste diversion strategies for individuals, schools, houses of worship, and other communities. She’s received the governor’s Environmental Hero award for her work at her daughter’s school. Whether you’re starting with a backyard bin, a kitchen bucket, a worm farm, or a large-scale commercial collection, Mary Beth can be your good-natured guide.

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