commercial composting facility | Crazy About Compost

Is Composting Endorsed Where You Live?

Today I stumbled upon the Wormcycler Municipal Program, which ties your municipality into a worm composting program by subsidizing part of the costs to get started while promoting the benefits of vermicomposting. I wonder how effective their program has been, and if anyone in my home city of Philadelphia has actually done this. If you haven't noticed, I happen to like composting and want everyone to do it. While I keep asking and pushing for curbside compost pickup in Philadelphia (which I'm told won't happen), people can do it themselves at home, which is probably the better option anyway. Or start a community collection point for compost...Philadelphia just opened one in my neighborhood (video/article to come shortly!). It frustrates me to no end that composting isn't expanding more rapidly, especially…

Just How Important Are Biodegradable Plastics?

It seems like over the last year or two, all the major companies have been jumping on board not only with a "green" product line, but with biodegradable plastics. I'd like to focus on the three major food service items that have been getting makeovers: cups, utensils and trash bags. To narrow it further, forget about items listed simply as "degradable"... what isn't? This is deceptive. "Biodegradable plastics" or "compostable plastics" that will completely compost in a commercial compost facility are what to look for. PLA (polylactic acid) is one of the most common corn based plastics used. Are they worth it? I'm not so sure. Assuming they're non-toxic and biodegrading as described, most people will not be able to compost these items in their backyard piles. This instantly reminds…

Firm Pulls the Plug on Compost Dump (news article)

VILLAGERS are celebrating after the firm planning to build a compost dump near Awsworth withdrew its planning application. But a plan for a smaller plant from the same developer near the sewage works off Halls Lane, Newthorpe, is still ‘live’ according to Nottinghamshire County Council. The proposed Westby Lane plant would have seen 12 32-tonne lorries travel back and forth through Awsworth each week, leading to grave concerns from residents that the roads in the village could not handle it. The local residents’ and tenants’ association mobilised a campaign against the plan with dozens joining protests near the proposed site in Babbington after Alfreton-based HW Martin’s plans were revealed in May. Many of the campaigners were concerned about health risks from airborne pollutants and Awsworth parish councillor Kurt Whitten…