Let's Go Compost

Composting doesn't rely on luck. ?????? Keep your compost bin free from contamination by avoiding wishcycling and making sure only the right materials go in! ??? Avoiding contamination in a compost bin is crucial for maintaining the health of the composting process and ensuring that the final product is nutrient-rich and usable. Contamination occurs when non-compostable or improperly processed materials are added to the bin, disrupting the decomposition process, attracting pests, or introducing toxins. The most common contaminants include plastics, glass, metals, chemically treated wood, synthetic fabrics, and certain types of food waste that might not break down in a particular compost bin set up (like oily foods and dairy products). To prevent contamination, it’s essential to establish clear guidelines on what can and cannot be composted, and this is dependent on the type of composting method chosen. A well-managed compost bin should include only organic materials like fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, grass clippings, leaves, and paper products free from dyes or coatings. One of the biggest issues leading to contamination in compost bins is “wishcycling,” a term originally associated with recycling but increasingly relevant in composting. Wishcycling refers to the well-intentioned but misguided practice of placing items into a compost bin that one hopes or assumes are compostable without verifying whether they truly break down in the system being used. For example, many people mistakenly compost “biodegradable” plastics, coated paper products, or greasy food scraps, thinking they will decompose like natural materials. However, compostable plastics often require industrial composting conditions that backyard systems cannot provide, and grease or dairy products can slow down the composting process and create foul odors. The result of wishcycling is contamination, which can reduce the quality of the finished compost, make it unsafe for gardening, and even force an entire batch to be discarded. To combat wishcycling in composting, education and clear signage are essential. Whether managing a backyard compost bin or a large-scale composting program, individuals must understand the limitations of their composting system and adhere to guidelines that prevent contamination. When in doubt, checking with your composter or hauler, or conduct a quick at-home research session to prevent problematic materials from ending up in the bin. In community composting programs, labels and outreach efforts should reinforce that items marked “compostable” do not always mean “home compostable.” Avoiding wishcycling requires a mindset shift: instead of thinking, “This might break down,” it’s better to ask, “Am I certain this belongs here?”

West Virginia educators are invited to join Let's Go Compost and Monongalia County, West Virginia Solid Waste Authority during International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW) 2025 as we discuss how West Virginia K-12 schools, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, 4-H and other youth groups can utilize Let’s Go Compost’s free classroom composting program to reduce food waste and more! Register at https://lnkd.in/guAzqvJ3. Learn more about Monongalia County, West Virginia Solid Waste Authority at: https://lnkd.in/gEzN8nZ4

From food scrap to soil to seed to salad ?????? #LetsGoCompost Program Participant Lineweaver Elementary School in Tucson Unified School District (TUSD1.org) used their fall compost to grow spring vegetables! This week, their students harvested lettuce, arugula, and radishes to make delicious roll ups. They are now going to make small bags of produce available to students' families upon request.? Now THAT is local food system circularity in action!

We are thrilled that #LetsGoCompost program participant Rover Elementary of Tempe Elementary School District in the City of Tempe has been selected as Circular Arizona's 2025 School of the Year for their systematic approach to composting and reduction of food waste! It's an effort that involves many at Rover, including students, staff, and community - and especially their partnership with Mark Rhine of Rhiba Farms. Congratulations, Rover! Learn more about the award and Circular Arizona at https://lnkd.in/g5ig6Xtf. Learn more about Rhiba Farms at https://lnkd.in/gVTzhZnu.

Katya and Lauren are two compost legends in the making. This was taken at COMPOST2025 in Phoenix during our community event. I hope I'll be able to record another video of them talking in 20 or 30 years to see how far we've come. Katya ?? Manages healthy soil programs for Zero Foodprint, serves as the Executive Director of California’s Association of Compost Producers, and chairs the US Composting Council's Young Professionals Committee. Lauren ?? Launched her nonprofit, Let's Go Compost, growing it from 0 to over 110 participating schools in just two years. She also chairs the YP Community Event Committee. If you're a Young Professional in the composting and organics recycling industry, come join our group! We're creating opportunities for learning, networking, making lifelong friends, and advancing the composting industry together. "Young Professional" includes people who are young in age, as well as those of any age who are new to the industry. You can find more information on the USCC website: compostingcouncil.org/YPG __________________________________________________________________________ I’m launching the Compost Change Makers Community on March 15th! A space where I provide you with digital tools, and we learn and strategize compost marketing together. More details ?? link in my profile.

For the second year in a row, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams is hosting our Earth Day fundraiser! Stop by their Scottsdale Quarter location on April 22 between 4PM and 7PM for a sweet treat that supports a great cause - local school gardens!

Alongside the Green Schools National Network, we are proud to announce the 2025 Best of Green Schools award winners! The Best of Green Schools recognizes the top schools, school districts, lawmakers, and others who work to advance safer and more resilient schools across communities. Read about the inspiring work of this year's winners: https://lnkd.in/eXdXW72R Austin Independent School District, Boise School District, Denver Public Schools, Rochester School, Texas Disposal Systems, Let's Go Compost

This afternoon, I was named 2025 Ambassador at the Best of Green Schools Award Ceremony, hosted by the?Center for Green Schools?at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the?Green Schools National Network?(GSNN). Working in public school sustainability, particularly in school food systems, has truly been one of the most fulfilling industries I've ever worked in. There are so many passionate, determined, and intelligent individuals working to accomplish SO much with increasingly little. Congratulations to the other award recipients, including Denver Public Schools, Erin Stutzman of Boise School District, U.S. Representative Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (VA) and U.S. Senator Jack Reed (RI), Rochester School of Columbia, Molly and Emma Weber, Texas Disposal Systems, and Darien Clary of Austin Independent School District. Thank you to the Center for Green Schools team for bringing us all together. Learn more about the awardees here: https://lnkd.in/gig-rJE7 Thank you also to all of the incredible donors, sponsors, grantors, agencies, municipalities, foundations, nonprofit partners, composters, haulers, schools, educators, and students who have allowed me to continue my work at Let's Go Compost. There is such a long road ahead in the world of reducing public school food waste, but days like this make me hopeful.

We're sending a big thanks to WM of Arizona for supporting our STEAM Classroom Composting Program! Their donation helps more students turn food scraps into compost, bringing hands-on sustainability learning into schools. ???? ??: #LetsGoCompost Program Participant DeGrazia Elementary School in Tucson, Arizona

Join us for our upcoming webinar: “School Composting From the Soil Up” taking place on Tuesday, April 1, at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Featuring program leaders from Florida, New York and Kentucky, this webinar will be using three different models as examples to help you learn about the common obstacles faced in starting a school #composting program and how dedicated groups overcame them to establish successful #diversion programs. #webinar #USCC #organics Register today to secure your spot and join the conversation! https://lnkd.in/eCPc9fNU