‘The Important Impacts of Composting’: City of Arcata

This is a press release from the City of Arcata:

Why Compost? The image comes from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (www.ilsr.org), a national nonprofit organization working to strengthen local economies, and redirect waste into local recycling, composting, and reuse industries. It is included here with permission.

Observed annually on May 29, Learn About Composting Day is an opportunity for the community to increase awareness around one simple but powerful action: composting. By keeping food scraps and other organic materials out of landfills, residents and businesses can help fight climate change, conserve natural resources and build a healthier, more resilient community.

Climate Impacts. When organic waste, such as food scraps, yard trimmings and paper products, decomposes in a landfill, it generates methane, a potent greenhouse gas, while those organic materials go to waste. Composting, on the other hand, releases a far less harmful greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide, and recycles organic materials into a valuable soil amendment that stores carbon in the soil. Then, it serves as a carbon bank rather than releasing the gas into the atmosphere.

Landscape Impacts. Applying finished compost to land improves soil fertility, structure, nutrient retention and overall resilience. Other benefits include increased water absorption and retention of the soil, which helps improve water quality and recharge groundwater by reducing runoff, decreasing erosion and filtering out pollutants. All this leads to stronger plants, higher crop yields and increased resistance to disease, pests and wildfire, all without relying on synthetic chemical fertilizers and pesticides.

Community Impacts. Landfills and incinerators are often located near low-income and politically marginalized communities where they generate emissions and pollution that harm air quality, water quality and public health. In 2016, California passed Senate Bill 1383 to reduce organic waste sent to landfills statewide. As part of these requirements, curbside organic waste collection through current solid waste haulers is expected to begin in Arcata in late fall 2026. More information will be provided to residents and businesses before the program begins.

For those are brand new to composting and those who already have a thriving compost pile, there are many ways to participate in Learn About Compost Day:

• Keep learning about compost. Visit the Arcata Library or explore online resources, such as The Local Composting Toolkit from the Institute for Local Self-Reliance or kid-friendly lessons at Let’s Go Compost.
• Start composting at home. Check out the “Backyard Composting Made Easy” brochure for tips.

• Support local community composting and green waste programs. Services such as Full Cycle Compost and Local Worm Guy offer subscription composting options with pick-up and drop-off services.
• Residents can also self-haul green waste to Wes Green, located at 1500 Glendale Dr. For additional information on Wes Green’s services, call (707) 822-8537.
• Learn more about composting and green waste resources at cityofarcata.org/294/Composting-Green-Waste-Resources.
• Get involved in the community. Visit the farmers market to connect with local growers and learn about sustainable farming practices. Volunteer at a community garden or composting workshop. Share composting knowledge and encourage friends, family and neighbors to participate. Spread awareness on social media in celebration of Learn About Composting Day.

Composting is more than waste reduction; it is community resilience, climate action and an investment in the future. For more information about composting and SB 1383 organics requirements, visit cityofarcata.org/sb1383 or contact the Environmental Services Department at (707) 822-8184.