2 minute read
Neighborhood Composting
Neighborhood Composting
During the summer of 2017, I
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participated in the Sustainable
Summer program at Dartmouth College. The program had a focus of entrepreneurial leadership related to the environment. At the end of the program, my peers and I presented independent project proposals which we had been developing during the course of the program. Many of the projects involved introducing composting programs into local communities, though not mine.
I was inspired by these projects. When I returned home from the program I was energized to explore how I could bring composting into my community. I was fortunate to find a local composting company in my area, Silver Spring, Maryland. My communication with the company The Compost Crew, http:// compostcrew.com/, began with an introductory email. I expressed my interest in launching a community pilot program in my neighborhood.
They were enthusiastic to start a program in my area. As The Compost Crew’s Community Leader for the Rosemary Hills area I set out to find 15 homes to join the pilot program. Fliers were put in every mailbox, emails were sent to listserves, and word of mouth in my community led to my success. By November 2017 the pilot program became a permanent program.
Since November 2017, my neighborhood has taken a large step towards living more sustainably. Compost Members have reduced the amount of trash bags they put out per week to be collected, they have seen how much waste they have prevented from going to landfills, and they have in a small but impactful way made a step towards improving soil, air, animal, and human health. By 2020, my high graduation year I hope to have 50 members from my community signed on to the program. Establishing a composting program is not as daunting as it seems. Fortunately, similar compost service companies are emerging around the country with whom you and your community can partner.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Eve London is from Silver Spring, Maryland and I attend Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School. She is an alumna of the 2017 Sustainable Summer program at Dartmouth College. Her environmental interests have been investigating and understanding what motivates people, societies, and businesses to be environmentally conscious.
