Composting in America

Report released by U.S. PIRG Education Fund, Environment America Research and Policy Center and Frontier Group.

The report outlines best practices for composting programs including these suggestions that cities and towns should:

• Make them convenient. Offer curbside organic waste pickup along with trash and recycling.
• Make them affordable. Make composting programs less expensive than trash disposal through programs such as Save Money and Reduce Trash (SMART), which charge residents and businesses less if they throw out less trash.
• Institute a commercial composting requirement. Require large commercial organic waste producers, such as grocery stores, to divert waste from landfills and incinerators to composting facilities.
• Support local markets. Local municipalities should buy back locally produced compost for use in public projects or distribute it to residents, community gardens or other local projects to create a steady market for composting facilities.

The report also covers the many benefits of composting. These programs help eliminate landfills and trash incinerators; replenish soil and prevent erosion; reduce the need for chemical fertilizers; and offer a powerful weapon in the fight against global warming.

“Imagine if our organic waste—food scraps, paper towels, yard trimmings—could help us instead of hurt us,” said Alex Truelove, zero waste director for U.S. PIRG Education Fund, in a statement. “With composting, we can make that a reality.”