A circular system where our compostable waste is collected, processed, and returned as a resource to farmers, landscapers, etc. We need to address the chemicals and fossil fuels holding us back. Where everyone individually and collectively has the opportunity to compost I imagine a hybrid system of organic waste processing integrating publicly subsidized industrial-level composting and decentralized composting in neighborhood sites that include community gardens, urban farms, and anaerobic digesters scattered throughout the city and region No organic materials to go to traditional landfills. Community composting drop-off sites. city pick-up service for residents, Food waste box for big-box stores Affordable and accessible composting and hauling for all food service businesses; Access to compostable containers for easier composting for the foodservice industry Systems are in place to ensure that all food or yard trimmings are put to their highest use and that all people understand how and why to remove food waste and yard waste. All food waste collected from every business and home, as standard as regular waste pickups. My vision for ubiquitous in the Chicagoland region, in the way it is in SF and other cities. This means it would be a standard cultural practice reinforced by education and legal requirements, for households, government entities, private companies, etc. Composting service would be equally accessible to everyone because of its massive net benefits to our city, environment, and overall well-being. Food is eaten before it goes to waste. Start here with programs to feed people and use the food. Composting becomes a legitimate city-scale service a la recycling. (Recycling initiatives need to be effective; so we also need to talk about plastics and paper. Look for successful precedents. Composting can become a core value and a reflective act as normal as breathing A good green cycle of rolling the used material back into ground and good food. Start with lage users, move toward homes. The community around us feels both empowered and that they have the capacity to be a part of the wider composting system. They have the knowledge of why it is important, the impact of person actions, and feel they have the ability to spend their valuable time understanding whatever part of the process they need to engage with. Normalize composting. Prioritize food scrap amended composting as a beneficial solid amendment to grow food (nutritious!) for all. Bringing the attention to localisms; The issues with food waste and diverting organics from landfills needs to be and can be solved by all models working in tandem. My vision specifically for the short term is to uplift community and on-farm composting. Again... normalize composting. Follow the food!
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