The Composting Consortium, managed by the Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners, has just released a new blueprint, "How Organics Diversion Can Help Achieve Zero Waste Goals: A Blueprint for Action." The Consortium aims to empower municipal leaders in developing and expanding composting programs around the U.S.
This comprehensive guide, co-authored with Eco-Cycle, offers a clear and actionable framework for municipalities to establish food scraps collection programs and collaborate with composters. The blueprint covers crucial aspects such as policy development, infrastructure setup, and effective communication strategies with program participants. By providing this roadmap, the Consortium seeks to address the pressing issue of food waste in landfills, which is a major source of methane emissions and a significant contributor to climate change.
Recognizing the need for stakeholder collaboration in scaling organics management, the Composting Consortium has additionally launched two innovative platforms. The Composter Innovator Program brings together composters from across the U.S. to actively shape the future of the industry and plans to address important issues such as contamination, policy development, and funding allocation for food waste composting infrastructure.
Complementing this effort is the Municipal Partner Platform, a free-to-access resource for city officials focused on sustainability and waste management. This platform facilitates knowledge sharing and discussion of best practices in starting and expanding organics collection programs. By connecting municipalities of all sizes and stages of development, the Consortium aims to accelerate the adoption of effective organic waste diversion strategies nationwide.
These new platforms, coupled with the comprehensive blueprint, hope to foster collaboration to drive real-world change in the composting industry. As the U.S. composting sector undergoes transformation, with more facilities looking to process food waste and compostable packaging, these initiatives will provide crucial support for scaling up the necessary infrastructure and programs.
