Our Compost Story
Community Compost at Community Roots
When Community Roots first started growing, we knew composting had to be a part of our mission. Diverting food waste from landfills wasn't just about stewardship - it was about keeping valuable nutrients in our community, strengthening Knox County's local food system, and supporting our economy.
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We began composting in 2017 with a small wooden structure featuring three bays, each about 5 feet by 5 feet. It was a humble start, but it laid the foundation for something bigger.
Growing Our Compost Program
In 2019, we took a major step forward by partnering with Happy Bean, collecting their coffee grounds and tea leaves to add to our compost. Around the same time, we officially opened our compost site to the public, allowing community members to drop off their organic waste. The response was incredible - so much so that we quickly realized we needed to expand our compost.
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We upgraded to a much larger compost system, repurposing a concrete three-bay structure already on-site. Each bay measures nearly 10 feet by 10 feet, giving us significantly more space to process food scraps efficiently.
A Volunteer-Led Effort
Our entire composting operation is volunteer-powered. Volunteers collect and transport food scraps from Happy Bean, manage the compost piles, ad track data to ensure optimal decomposition. Thanks to their dedication, we produce high-quality humus that nourishes our local food system.
Expanding Accessibility: Curbside Compost Pickup and Other Future Initiatives
At Community Roots, we're committed to enhancing our composting initiatives to further benefit Mount Vernon and Knox County. Building on our existing programs, we're excited to announce a Curbside Compost Pilot Program launching soon, in collaboration with the City of Mount Vernon, Knox County Foundation, and Knox County Recycling and Litter Prevention. This pilot aims to make composting more accessible by offering free curbside pickup for residents in select neighborhoods.
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We're constantly recording and tracking compost data to ensure the best possible decomposition process, and we're always looking for new ways to grow.
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As we look to the future, our goal is to expand compost collection services to include more local businesses and residents throughout our community. By increasing participation, we can divert additional organic waste from landfills, produce more nutrient-rich compost for community gardens, and strengthen our local food system.