There’s nothing more sustainable than turning waste into a valuable resource, and this spring, the Villages of Broadview and Maywood have committed to doing just that by launching residential composting programs.
These communities are both part of the Cross Community Climate Collaborative (C4), an award-winning initiative in west suburban Chicagoland bringing together BIPOC and non-minority communities across income lines to share ideas, secure resources, and drive large-scale projects within and across communities that achieve greenhouse gas emissions reductions, equity, and sustainability goals. C4 is led by the mayors of Broadview, Oak Park, and River Forest, as well as the Urban Efficiency Group and Seven Generations Ahead (SGA).
The Village of Broadview launched their composting program in March, and it has already garnered significant support from residents. In just a few weeks, the village has had about 50 signups and counting. Demand for the program was so high right away that SGA supported Broadview by supplying 300 countertop pails, which the village did not yet have available to distribute to participating residents. They plan to order another 300 more as demand continues to increase. This program is part of a larger push in Broadview and other C4 communities to pursue high-impact and scalable climate and sustainability solutions.
“The Village of Broadview is thrilled to launch our new residential composting program,” said Broadview Mayor, Katrina Thompson. “As a leader in the Cross Community Climate Collaborative, Broadview is committed to advancing holistic sustainability solutions like composting, which will reduce waste and greenhouse gases, while also making our soil healthier.”
C4 secured a grant from the USDA to support the launch of composting programs in three communities. The Village of Maywood will roll out their composting program by the end of April, and another C4 community, the Village of Bellwood, is gearing up to launch a program by the end of May. Residents who participate in the composting programs will get access to finished compost, which has a host of environmental benefits.
When food waste ends up in a landfill, it decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), which produces high levels of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. But when food scraps decompose naturally in the composting process, it significantly reduces methane emissions. Compost is also essential to healthy soil, which requires decaying organic matter to provide the nutrients necessary for healthy plants. Applying compost to soil also provides better soil drainage, reducing the chances of flooding during heavy rains. So, not only does a residential composting program help municipalities reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, but it also provides a valuable resource for home gardeners, community gardens, and other local landscapes that can benefit from rich, healthy, well-drained soil.
While Broadview, Maywood, and Bellwood are among a handful of C4 communities to adopt residential composting programs, the goal is that more will join them. C4 initiative is committed to sharing models and best practices across communities to achieve regional climate and sustainability impact.
“I hope we can inspire other C4 communities to take this important step toward a more sustainable future,” said Mayor Thompson.
To learn more about C4, visit SGA’s website. And to learn more about Broadview’s composting program and sign up, visit their village website. Stay tuned as Maywood and Bellwood composting program signups officially open to residents.