Evaluating Boston’s Organic Waste Cycles: Keeping Compost Clean for Community Gardens
Project Partner: Trustees of Reservations, Summer 2022
Project Description: Collection of food and yard waste, production of compost, and distribution of compost to urban growers reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support regenerative agriculture. Currently, City of Boston contracts lack language to ensure testing and equitable distribution of city-sourced compost to urban agricultural efforts, especially those in food insecure neighborhoods.
Along with the Trustees of Reservations, Sam conducted a case-study on organic waste cycles and compost production for use in community urban agriculture in four cities. This work aimed to strengthen legal contracts concerning organic waste collection and testing during compost production in Boston. Compost inputs should be regulated more stringently to avoid the intrusion of hazards in the compost system, which could be a threat to human and environmental health.
Legislation and contracts can protect compost content through regulation of feedstock and mandatory testing requirements. Together, Sam and The Trustees 1) prepared language to improve city contracts; and 2) developed a Best Management Practices (BMP) document for The Trustees and Boston’s Department of Public Works to promote a safer and more just organic waste cycle in Boston. Sam also prepared a letter for Boston Mayor Michelle Wu to advocate for administrative and financial support to ensure compost safety and guarantee compost access to community gardens.
Main Project Deliverables:
- Proposed Language for contracts between City of Boston and industrial compost producers
- Best Management Practices recommendations for centering safety and justice in organic waste-to-compost cycles
See Sam’s URBAN Internship lightning talk here.