As part of our continued sustainability efforts, the Eccentric Café has resumed composting and is offering one of the few customer-facing composting options in the Kalamazoo area.

Now when you’re at the Café you’ll have three choices: regular trash, plastic cups and compost. The new composting coincides food service in the garden and patio.

We have composted in the past, but with the expansion of our kitchen, we needed a bigger system.

Everything served with food at the Eccentric Café will be compostable, including the plastic silverware and even its clear plastic wrapping - all of which are made from plants. The plastic cups remain fully recyclable through a local plastic recycling system.

All food scraps from our kitchen and what’s left on plates, along with the plant-based plastics will be composted at Hammond Farms, south of Lansing. That composted soil is then sold for a variety of uses, including growing vegetables.

Here’s a checklist to help you.

What’s compostable

• Any leftover food
• Any bones
• Disposable flatware (and its packaging)
• Napkins
• Deli sheets
• Paper towels
• Greasy items
• Toothpicks
• Straws and their wrappers

What’s recyclable

• Plastic beer cups

What’s trash

• Wristbands
• Anything that may be brought in from outside

Composting is part of our overall commitment to sustainability. That commitment extends to all of our buildings. Examples at our Comstock Brewery include a bio digester to clean waste water and regain energy, scrap material recycling, Big Ass Fans to maintain temperatures and a green roof.

If you have any questions about our compost and recycling programs or where to put what at the Café, please ask one of our downtown staff members. Also, you can contact us via our online form on or social media.