In an effort to help divert food waste from local landfills, the City of Prairie Village has launched a pilot program in partnership with KC Can Compost for free community composting.
Starting July 1, residents can begin dropping food scraps off using Smart Cans at two locations: one in the City Hall parking lot near the skate park in Harmon Park and the other in Wassmer Park.
Smart Cans are accessible 24/7 via a smartphone app, and they’re designed to be secure, pest-resistant, and easy to use. If you live in Prairie Village, you can register for the city-sponsored program to begin using these new locations. To get started, visit the program website and then download the MetroKey app.
How to use:
- Collect your food scraps in a container lined with a BPI Certified compostable liner. (You can purchase liners through the online shop and pick them up at the Prairie Village City Clerk’s office or any of KC Can’s equipment pickup locations.)
- Open the MetroKEY App and find your nearest Smart Can location.
- When you’re within 5 feet of the can, tap “Unlock Unit” in the app.
- Open the lid and drop in your bagged food scraps.
- Let go of the handle or foot pedal—the can will close and lock automatically.
With the Johnson County landfill projected to reach capacity between 2037-2042, food waste diversion was identified as the highest priority in Johnson County’s Solid Waste Plan. Through waste characterization and residential hauler data, it is estimated that single-family homes in the county generated about 32,930 tons of food waste in 2022. Of all the waste hauled to the landfill, 27% of it is food waste according to the solid waste plan.
Visit the Prairie Village Community Program page at https://kccancompost.com/pvsmartcans for a list of what’s compostable, helpful FAQs, and more. Email questions or request for support to hello@kccancompost.com.
