Top: Image courtesy U.S. EPA

The Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) announced the release of three short videos highlighting the economic, environmental, and social benefits of community composting, created by ILSR’s Composting for Community Initiative for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. To accompany the videos, EPA has created a Community Composting page with the help of ILSR. “This is a significant step towards national recognition of the importance of community composting and EPA’s commitment to equitable climate and soil solutions that put community benefits first,” says Brenda Platt, director of the Composting for Community Initiative. “These short, accessible videos posted on EPA’s YouTube channel showcase the diversity of location, age, size, community, and operation of community composters.”

Footage and interviews used in the interviews are from community composters across the country: BK ROT, Baltimore Compost Collective, Compost Crew, Compost Power, ECO City Farms, Fertile Ground Cooperative, Food Plus Detroit, Happy Trash Can, Hidden Harvest Farm, LA Compost, Radix Ecological Sustainability Center, Rust Belt Riders, and Truly Living Well. The Environmental Benefits of Community Composting video covers reduction of food waste, soil rejuvenation, carbon sequestration, emission reductions, and building climate resilience. The Social Benefits video highlights education, strengthening of community ties, cultural restoration, and improved access to healthy food and green space. The Local Economics Benefit video includes job creation, small business development, workforce education, and support of local circular economies. “Feel free to share with your network, embed in your website, and use in your training materials,” adds Platt. “We also developed a series of graphics highlighting these same benefits, to be downloaded and used with attribution.”