Environment, Erika's Corner, Local Interest

Compost Program in Berea

By Erika Coble , January 5, 2022 0 Comments

Sustainable Berea has teamed up with the Rust Belt Riders (RBR) for a compost program here in Berea Ohio. The program will establish local drop-off locations where the community deposits its food waste. RBR will compost the food waste ensuring it is not placed in landfills.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency, food is the single largest category of material placed in municipal landfills. In fact, over 40% of all food in the United States ends up in landfills. This food emits methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Methane then contributes to climate change making our planent warmer. This program enables us to be part of the solution.

Since 2014, Rust Belt Riders has been working with people across Northeast Ohio to provide them with an alternative to depositing food waste into landfills. This management of food waste includes composting and community outreach. RBR then makes the compost available as soil to reintroduce into the earth.

Sustainable Berea is helping to establish two community food waste drop-off locations. The first will be in the downtown/university area. The second location will be in the north section at the Berea community Learning Farm. In addition to the community drop-off locations, RBR will schedule composting workshops to provide additional information.

Rust Belt Riders needs 30 participants to move forward with establishing these drop-off locations. Please let them know if you would like to become a member. Call 216-800-4651 or send an email to [email protected]. For more information check out their website: rustbeltriders.com.

Sustainable Berea will do its part and continue to generate interest in this compost program. Together we can keep food waste out of our landfills.

Send us an email to connect with us at: [email protected]. Like us on Facebook at: Sustainable-Berea-OH.-

Written By

Erika Coble

Erika Coble is co-founder of Sustainable Berea. Her love of nature comes from growing up outside in the freshwater lakes and forests of Michigan. She has a Master's Degree and a second B.A. from BW in Sustainability. Erika is currently the elected representative on Berea City Council for Ward Four where she also advocates for sustainable projects in the city. She has two college-age sons who were raised in Berea and a husband who is a professor at BW.