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What is Compost?

Apr28

Compost is made up of food waste, grass, leaves, and other organic material that decomposes and creates nurturing soil. Many people love to use the compost for plant fertilizer. The significance of compost is to keep food waste and other natural things out of landfills, and use it for a better cause.

Representation of how much of our trash is compostable organic waste

Organic waste that could be composted in landfill

Background of Eugene Compost Trial

Apr27

Should Eugene move forward with the curbside compost trial?

Eugene is going to start a curbside compost collection trial that will last for about two years. The city decided this would be a great notion to start in the community, as Eugene produces about 40 million pounds of food waste that goes into landfills. They want the food waste to be used for a better cause, rather than filling up landfills and not being put to good use. There will be pilot testing in north, south, east, and west areas of Eugene. “The yard clippings and food scraps will be processed into “nutrient-rich” compost by Rexius that will be sold at local home and garden stores.” (Russo, Register Guard). Therefore, the compost is coming back into the community, giving great nutrients to residents’ gardens. There have been pros and cons brought up from residents throughout Eugene. We will be exploring these opinions throughout this blog.

This shows the popularity of compost trials throughout the country in 2010.