Initial rollout of three units at Shaker Heights Public Library

Organics drop off infrastructure

Project Snapshot

The City of Shaker Heights partnered with Rust Belt Riders and metroSTOR to support the launch of an exciting composting program, anchored by secure, access controlled organic drop off infrastructure. The project moved from a successful pilot to a multi-site rollout timed for Earth Day, creating a visible, user-friendly system that could support participation, cleanliness, and future expansion. The approach combined public education, political leadership, and flexible infrastructure to establish composting as a normal part of daily life in the city.

Context

Shaker Heights is a suburban city outside Cleveland with a long-standing commitment to sustainability and food waste diversion. Prior to the citywide launch, the City and Rust Belt Riders had worked together for several years, including a pilot at an elementary school using locked corrals and carts. That pilot demonstrated resident demand but also highlighted the need for cleaner, more accessible, and better managed public drop off infrastructure as the program scaled beyond a single site.

The City had already been diverting over 600,000 pounds of food scraps annually, with year over year growth driven by school cafeteria programs and targeted pilots. 

Moving to a citywide model required infrastructure that could perform in high visibility public spaces, withstand daily use, and support shifting demand without creating operational or cleanliness risks.

Journey

The decision to move forward was driven by three converging factors: proven resident participation, political and departmental alignment, and a clear Earth Day launch deadline. The City and public library collaborated to identify the ideal site, where compost drop off would be visible and convenient for families.

Rather than expanding the original corral-based approach, the City prioritized a purpose-built enclosure system that could improve user experience, reduce contamination risk, and support monitoring from day one. 

Budget planning was structured to allow for an initial rollout in 2025, with expansion discussions tied to the 2026 budget cycle once early performance could be demonstrated.

Solution Architecture

The solution centered on metroSTOR access-controlled organics cart enclosures, each designed to house multiple 65 gallon food waste carts within a compact, durable steel structure. The enclosures were configured with dual access control, allowing keypad and mobile app entry, alongside hands free foot pedal loading to support cleanliness and accessibility.

Smart fill level sensors were included to provide real time visibility into usage patterns and container capacity, enabling the City and Rust Belt Riders to understand demand across sites and plan servicing accordingly. Graphics were designed by Rust Belt Riders to align with the city’s education and outreach strategy, reinforcing clear, consistent communication at the point of use.

Implementation & Risk Reduction

Units were delivered then installed by the City’s Department of Public Works. This approach avoided dependency on third party installers, and allowed the City to retain control over site readiness and timing.

By using access-controlled enclosures rather than open carts, the City reduced the risk of contamination, misuse, and overflow at launch. Sensor data and access controls provided an early operational safety net, ensuring the program could respond quickly if participation exceeded expectations.

Client Voice