听The City of Decatur announced expanded access to curbside composting services for residents through a new opt-in program designed to reduce food waste and support local soil health in partnership with CompostNow, a local organics recycling company operating across the Southeast.听
Through this initiative, Decatur residents can now subscribe to curbside compost collection services for $19/month, making it easier and more affordable than ever to divert food scraps and other compostable materials from landfills. This program builds on the momentum and learnings gained through a 6 month-long composting pilot program that the City of Decatur operated for 100 residents.听
Food waste is one of the largest contributors to landfill volume and a significant source of methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas. By participating in composting, residents can play a direct role in reducing their environmental impact while contributing to the creation of a nutrient-rich soil amendment used in local and regional agriculture.听
鈥淭he City of Decatur is committed to advancing sustainable solutions that reduce waste and strengthen our community,鈥� said Mayor Tony Powers. 鈥淓xpanding access to composting provides residents with a practical way to make a meaningful environmental impact right from their homes.鈥�听
The program is structured as a voluntary, monthly subscription-based service. Participating households will receive a 7-gallon curbside compost collection bin and will benefit from weekly curbside pickup, similar to traditional waste and recycling service models.听
The City is supporting this effort through community education and outreach, helping residents understand the benefits of composting and how to participate. CompostNow will provide the program logistics and administration including resident onboarding, ongoing resident support, collections, and compost processing. Finished compost produced goes back into enriching the soils of local farms and community gardens in the Atlanta Metropolitan area through CompostNow鈥檚 standard service model.听
鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to help expand access to composting in Decatur and support residents in taking part in a more circular system,鈥� said David Paull, Co-founder and Chief Impact Officer of CompostNow. 鈥淏y making composting simple and accessible, we can collectively reduce waste and return valuable nutrients back to the soil.鈥�听