Composting

Session Topic:
Composting
Name of convener:
Rennie Brantz

Email/Phone:
brantzrw@appstate.edu

Participants:
Marsha Walpole, Dave, Diane Tilson, Kathleen Jan., Rennie Brantz, Jo Anne Orr

Main points from the conversation:
Individual composting bins offer an immediate opportunity to make a difference. Bins need to be
colorful, inexpensive, accessible, and explained.
A public composting program for town and county is a long range goal. It will cost upwards of
$2.5 million to start and then will need to be sustained with public funding.
Best way to start public composting would be a pilot project, probably in Boone
Important to success of composting will be education: individually, in schools, to public at large.
There is still a great deal of resistance to composting because it requires changes in traditional
behavior.
Partnerships will also be important between country, town, ASU, Ag. Extension. ASU is doing a
good deal as is the county. Efforts between town, county, and ASU are being coordinated. Is
more room for cooperation and expansion if resources can be made available.
We also discussed numerous technical issues: use of wood, plastic, temperatures, worms.
Benefits of composting? Reduced waste and savings for public, new green jobs, a new
environmentally friendly world view, stronger sense of community through cooperative efforts
We also noted that current economic downturn has affected recycling and composting costs and
success.
We need to work with producers to reduce packaging and wasteful use of materials. Stores could
charge for plastic bags or give credit for using your own bag.

Action steps:
1. Inventory existing composting programs and availability.
2. Establish attention to composting in schools--curriculum revision, educational programs, etc.
3. Make recycle and composting bins available more readily by town and country--May require
writing more grants or renewing grants.
4. Contact local food stores about reducing use of plastic bags.
5. Form Country wide composting committees.