How to Get Started With Community Composting

How to Find Local Composting Programs In Your Area

Did you know that it’s estimated around 30% of the waste we throw away is comprised of organic scraps such as food and yard clippings? Composting is a great way to cut down on this excessive organic waste. 

By turning this waste into compost, it helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills, while adding nutrient rich material back into the soil. For beginning gardeners, this is a great way to reduce plant disease and pests, while keeping soil healthy.

But, there’s one problem: not everyone can start a compost pile in their backyard. On average, about 20% of Americans live in apartment housing, which can make it more difficult to create and manage an efficient compost pile. However, did you know that there are many municipal composting programs throughout the U.S.?

In this guide, we’re dishing on all you need to know about community composting programs and how to find those in your area. 

What Is Community Composting?

Community composting – also called municipal compost programs – is a local government program that turns organic waste into compost. These programs are meant to get the community involved by collecting acceptable waste from residents or businesses in the area.

When the waste is collected by waste management, the matter is then transported to a facility where the composting process begins. Once at the facility, there are a few ways that the waste can be composted. This includes:

• Windrows: a process where waste is piled into long rows and aerated by manually turning the pile.

• In-vessel: a process where waste is placed inside a drum or silo where environmental conditions are mechanically controlled. This method typically allows for the breakdown of harder materials like dairy, meat, and bones.

• Aerated static pile: a process where waste is mixed into a large pile that is layered with “bulking agents” such as branches, wood chips, or shredded newspaper. This setup allows air to easily pass through the pile with the help of pipes placed underneath.

Once the organic matter is turned into compost, the compost is then used to serve the community in a variety of ways such as landscaping or agriculture.

Benefits of Municipal Compost Programs

Local composting programs have many benefits on the community and environment. The overall goal of these programs is to make the community and surrounding world a better place by practicing sustainability.

Here are a few of the benefits you can see in your local community by participating in municipal compost programs. 

Reduced Landfill Waste

Instead of sending off your scraps to the landfill (which is already majorly overflowing), composting programs work to reduce landfill waste methane emissions. Composting organic matter like food scraps and yard clippings not only cuts down on the amount of waste that floods our landfills, but it also allows these items to be transformed into a material that improves the soil, which we’ll talk more about later.

Decreased Greenhouse Gas Emissions

When organic matter is taken to landfills, they’re not allowed to break down properly. Organic matter breaks down anaerobically in landfills since they don’t get the oxygen they need, which then leads to the production of methane emissions. When you decide to compost, these greenhouse gas emissions are cut out completely. 

Refined Soil Health

Since compost is organic matter that’s being added to the soil, another big benefit of the process is that it greatly improves soil health. Compost makes the soil more fertile while also increasing water retention and adding essential nutrients for future plants. 

More Sustainable Agriculture

One of the best reasons to take part in community composting is to take part in sustainable practices. Sustainability is all about making the environment a better, healthier place and with compost cutting down on greenhouse gasses, improving soil health, and reusing organic matter, it’s the one of the best sustainable practices around. 

How to Find Composting Programs Near You

The easiest way to find municipal compost programs in your area is to start with a google search. In the search bar, type in “community composting near me” and browse through the variety of local programs that pop up. You can also use other official websites like a government website to find information on composting programs in your area. 

Here is a great resource map!