Compost at Home or with Black Earth

Summary: Compost your food scraps and reduce your waste and greenhouse emissions.

Description

Composting your food waste is an easy way to reduce your household's contribution of greenhouse gases! Over 51% of the trash that goes to landfills is compostable, contributing to the generation of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas that pollutes our planet’s air. Right now, for 6 months of service, you can pay as low as $8.31/month for Black Earth Compost pick up. Plus, if you are currently throwing your food scraps in the trash, composting may also save you money because you won't have to purchase as many trash bags.

The town of Ashland is partnering with Black Earth Compost to offer subscriptions for household curbside compost collection services. Composting is a great environmentally friendly way to get rid of your food scraps. Food waste is the largest source of landfill material in Massachusetts.

This innovative partnership allows residents to receive lower service rates as more households sign up. As of October 2022, the price for 6 months of weekly pick-up service dropped from $89.99 to $69.99 (or $52.99 for biweekly pick-up). 

You can also compost at home to reduce your emissions, save money, and make dirt! Composting at home can enrich soil with valuable nutrients, promoting healthier plant growth and biodiversity. By embracing home composting, you can contribute to a more sustainable ecosystem while minimizing the need for synthetic fertilizers and preserving natural resources.

To learn more, click “Steps To Take” on the tabs above.

Deep Dive

Want to sign up for curbside pick up? 

Visit the Black Earth website to check out their services and select one that is right for you. Order your Starter Kit, which includes a handy, critter-proof bin on wheels, a roll of bags to line the bin so it stays clean, and a roll of smaller bags for your kitchen compost container. Once registered, you will be given instructions about where to pick up your Starter Kit. In the spring you can either receive a voucher for a bag of finished compost, redeemable at participating Garden Centers, or you can donate your compost to Backyard Growers. Businesses, restaurants, schools, and assisted living facilities can use this service too. 

Can I compost if I live in an apartment? 

Yes! For those without a yard, vermicomposting, or indoor composting with worms, is a space saving option. You can make your own bin or purchase one that has added convenience features through retailers. It is simple to do, and makes a fun science project for kids!

Can I compost at home?

Yes! By composting in your own yard, you avoid unnecessary transportation of materials back and forth and add nutrients back into the soil. Read instructions on the basics of composting from the EPA and the Rodale Institute. 

U.S. Food Waste Facts 

• Food waste is estimated to be 30–40% of the food supply. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)
• According to the World Wildlife Federation, the production of wasted food is equivalent to the greenhouse emissions of 37 million cars. (RTS)
• Food “waste” is the single largest category of material municipal landfills, where it emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas (GHG). Such solid-waste landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S., accounting for approximately 14.1% of these emissions in 2017. (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
• Food waste is a huge climate issue in the U.S. because, when it is placed in landfills, the anaerobic conditions cause its decomposition to generate methane, a potent GHG. By composting, we return this organic matter to the natural carbon cycle.
• Although home composting does not solve our national food-waste dilemma, it is an important step down a better path. Community-wide composting can make an even greater impact. Nature’s capacity for carbon drawdown is extraordinary, and returning food waste to the soil is a significant part of the equation. This is an action that most of us can take together, each in our own household, to increase the health of the soil and of the climate!

Steps to Take

For Composting with Black Earth (Pick Up Service)

1. Sign up for weekly ($69.99 for 6 months) or biweekly ($52.99 for 6 months) compost pick-up on Black Earth Compost's Website.
2. Pick up your bin and starter kit from a local Ashland volunteer
3. Read up on the basics of composting from Black Earth
4. Start collecting food waste and other compostables at home, and don't forget to put your bin outside each week before your pick up day!

For Composting at Home

1. Read up on the basics of composting from the EPA
2. Buy a compost bin or build your own in your backyard
3. Use a small bucket on your countertop or other covered containers to collect your food scraps and empty them regularly into your yard compost bin.
4. Save some of your fall leaves or torn newspapers to mix into your pile to maintain the correct balance of materials 
5. Happy composting!

Composting at home? Or signed up with Black Earth? Please consider leaving a testimonial under the tab above!