Let’s Celebrate Composting!
By now, we have all heard Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – and the additional “R words”, Refuse, Repair, Reclaim to responsibly reduce what we send to the incinerator. But what about the “C word”? It doesn’t follow the alliteration, but considering how much of our residential and commercial waste stream is made up of both pre-consumer and post-consumer food, it is time to give Compost some attention. Many might claim Compost is already captured in the fun Rs as Recycling of food waste, but we would like to take a moment to put Compost in the spotlight.
And it’s not just us wanting to do it! Did you know the first full week in May is International Compost Awareness Week? It is! We would like to help raise awareness now to encourage you to compost and enjoy the benefits even before May!
Further, since Newburyport makes is so easy to compost, we need to give it the attention it deserves! We will share all of the different ways to conveniently compost in Newburyport below, but first, a few explanations!
What is Compost(ing)?
Composting (verb) is the process of turning organic waste (food, but also, in some cases, plant-based items such paper towels, napkins, un-coated/untreated paper plates, bio-based plastics, etc) into basic organic matter (= compost (noun)), a valuable addition to soil.
Why Compost?
Besides significantly trimming your waste stream, the following points are provided by the CompostFoundation.org:
- The use of landfill space and incineration can be reduced by at least one-third when organics are recycled.
- Methane, a greenhouse twenty-five times as powerful as carbon dioxide, can be significantly reduced through the recycling of organics instead of their being landfilled.
- Soil health and productivity is dependent on organic matter – the essence of compost — to provide the sustenance for the biological diversity in the soil.
- Compost offers a significant answer to climate change mitigation.
- Compost is a huge benefit for both water conservation and quality.
How to Compost in Newburyport?
Composting has never been easier/more convenient in Newburyport! Pick the version that suits you best! Questions or concerns? Email TowardZeroWasteNewburyport@outlook.com to get answers!
- Subscribe to weekly curbside collection with Black Earth Compost
Benefits
- accepts much more than what you can compost in your backyard, including meats, fats, dairy products, and bones!
- So convenient – roll your cart out to your curb for weekly collection
Drawback
- Current subscription rate is $1.89 per week.
- Drop off your household organics at any of the city’s drop off locations (free!)
Benefits
- Accepts much more than what you can compost in your backyard
- NO COST
Drawback
- Less convenient in that you must transport your organic waste to the drop off point
- Have a yard? Set up a composting bin in your yard with one of the city’s subsidized Earth Machines
Benefits
- You get to keep the compost after processing
- So convenient – “drop off” is 24/7 with little commute
- No cost past the initial investment of the Earth Machine (again, heavily discounted from the city’s Recycling Department!)
Drawbacks
- Takes up space in your yard
- Small initial investment and set up
- Very restrictive in what it can take – no meats, fats, dairy, or bones to make sure your compost does not attract critters or create bad odor
Toward Zero Waste Newburyport is a committee of concerned citizens working under the city’s Recycling Department to explore and implement ways to develop responsible waste diversion streams to benefit the city’s budget and the residents’ health, as well as be a responsible, respectful, and considerate community of the planet. For questions and ideas, please email TowardZeroWasteNewburyport@outlook.com.
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