How would one go about proposing a compost campaign to a city?

7river7wed7

Thanks to a poster on this board I have been enlightened to the magic of the Earth Machine. I would really like to take on putting together a proposal for my city to sponsor a city-wide campaign, but I'm clueless on where to begin.

What would you gather before presenting your case and who would you contact?

Alisha_A

I'm not sure who you would present to, but I'd think if you contacted your city government, they could help you with that part.

What sort of city composting are you proposing? Pickup of food scraps with yard waste (assuming you have yard waste pickup) or more like promoting home composting? Either way I would research how similar programs have benefitted cities implementing them. For actual city compost, picked up with yard waste, I think that Waste Management might be able to at least steer you towards some data, as I know they do our yard waste/compost program.

We also have composting promoting programs, as do other cities, via our extension programs, Master Gardener program, and agricultural programs, that provide information, lower-cost compost containers delivered, etc. You could also look into establishing a similar program through your local extension or gardening programs.

I just did a little googling, and you might find these links helpful:

http://www.cool2012.com/ Compostable organics out of landfills by 2012 organization.

http://www.sfenvironment.org/our_programs/topics.html?ti=6 SF has a city picked up compost program like ours (Seattle area)

http://www.sandiego.gov/environmental-services/recycling/composting.shtml San Diego promoting home composting

http://www.urbangardencenter.com/municipal-compost-program.aspx info on city composting programs

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/denver-city-compost-program Denver residents petitioning for one

http://www.districtadministration.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2209 results from a Bellingham, WA school district

http://www.cleanitgreenit.net/pdfs/climate_change_central/Municipal%20Composting%20FAQ%20.pdf

 

7river7wed7

Thanks for all the links! I would like for the city to promote home composting by providing compost bins free or at a discounted rate. The city currently has a compost facility but I think home-based composting would provide much greater benefit to the city as a whole and would encourage much greater participation because people can do it right in their own backyards rather than loading up their waste and driving it to the facility.

Alisha_A

Oh, that's a strange program!! Our municipal compost is picked up on garbage days, along with recycling. We have three carts. I can't imagine people doing it much if you had to drive it there!

Good luck! That's a great idea!

7river7wed7

Actually, now that I think about it, I think it's a hybrid of what you are talking about combined with being able to drop things off becuase when yard waste bags are picked up in the spring and fall they go to the compost facility too...but it's only for so many weeks of the year. Either way, residents are charged for p/u and drop off services and then again if they chose to purchase the compost -- not really a great deal for residents if you ask me.

Alisha_A

No, that doesn't sound like a great deal at all! Or like it has much impact as far as food waste.

That's funny that you only have yard waste picked up in spring and fall. Its the only service we have weekly, year-round. Garbage and recycling are every other week. We all have 96 gallon carts each for yardwaste and recycling and then garbage varies, mine is 20 gallons.

I can't believe they charge to pick up yard waste! I suppose that the costs of ours is factored in, but it should actually save the city money.

brideofaussie

Money talks.  In my city recycling is a source of income. 

Make your argument about saving/making money.

7river7wed7

Alisha_A:

No, that doesn't sound like a great deal at all! Or like it has much impact as far as food waste.

That's funny that you only have yard waste picked up in spring and fall. Its the only service we have weekly, year-round. Garbage and recycling are every other week. We all have 96 gallon carts each for yardwaste and recycling and then garbage varies, mine is 20 gallons.

I can't believe they charge to pick up yard waste! I suppose that the costs of ours is factored in, but it should actually save the city money.

Yea and it's not cheap. You're supposed to put it in "approved" brown paper sacks. Granted they are bigger than a normal sack, they are $5 each...can you imagine cleaning a .5 acre yard full of mature trees for $5/ bag?!? You have to have a savings fund to do it!