WASTE REDUCTION IN BIG SKY
Over half of Big Sky’s waste could be kept out of the landfill through recycling and composting.
Every bag of trash that leaves Big Sky travels miles to reach the landfill, increasing both cost and environmental impact. Once at the landfill, waste breaks down and releases greenhouse gas emissions.
By preventing waste before it’s created by choosing reusable items, buying only what we need, and composting what’s left, we can make a lasting difference for our community and our planet.
Waste
More than 50% of what we throw away in Big Sky could be diverted from the landfill.
Food Waste
According to SNO’s 2023 Big Sky Community Waste Assessment, over one-third of what ends up in our landfill is food:
23.2% being edible wasted food
13% inedible food scraps
Food waste is also the largest source of methane (CH₄) emissions from landfills, a greenhouse gas that’s 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Food Waste: Compost
Compost in now available to Big Sky community members through the Big Sky Bucket Exchange, a community composting program offered in partnership with Big Sky SNO, YES Compost, and the Moonlight Community Foundation.
Residents can collect food scraps at home and drop them off the exchange kiosk outside of BASE, where full buckets are swapped for clean ones.
YES Compost turns all of our food scraps into nutrient-rich soil.
Food Waste: Recovery
Food recovery is one of the most effective ways to reduce waste and make the most of the food already in our community. The Big Sky Community Food Bank is a resource hub for area residents providing free groceries and service navigation.
To make a difference, donate unopened, edible food to the Big Sky Community Food Bank.
We’ll work with you to reduce landfill waste by coordinating with local compost and recycling haulers, sharing vendor contract templates that encourage the use of recyclable and compostable materials, and recruiting enthusiastic “Trash Talking” volunteers to help educate attendees on proper waste sorting.
Partners: BSRAD, YES Compost, 406 Recycling
Planning an event in Big Sky? SNO can help.
SNO installed three new waste stations across Big Sky offering compost, recycling, and garbage bins. Two stations are in Town Center and one in Big Sky Community Park.
Custom-made by Back Alley Metals in Red Lodge, Montana, the bins expand access to recycling and composting while supporting a local business and a cleaner, more sustainable community.
Project Partners : BSRAD, YCCF, MCF, SPCF, Rotary Foundation, Republic Services
Making it Easy with Waste Stations
DRINKING WATER SOLUTIONS
MOBILE FILLING STATIONS
In partnership with Highline Partners, SNO obtained 3 portable water bottle filling stations with built-in filtration. They are used weekly at the summer Farmer’s Market & Thursday night Music in the Mountains hosted by Big Sky Arts Council, and at more remote events hosted throughout the year. Contact SNO if you’re interested in renting these water filling stations for your remote outdoor event.
Project Partner: Highline Partners
STATIONARY FILLING STATIONS
Through a partnership with the Gallatin River Task Force, SNO was able to purchase and install three water bottle fountains and filling stations; one in Town Center and two in the Big Sky Community Park, hoping to encourage reusable water bottle use, and reducing the purchase and use of single-use plastic bottles in the community. These units were placed in high use areas by both residents and visitors, in commercial and recreational sites in the community.
Project Partners : MCF, SPCF, Gallatin River Task Force