In Springfield, food waste is the second largest component of our collective waste stream, accounting for over 12% of the waste that makes it in the landfill every day. That’s over 50,000 tons of food being sent to our landfill every year. Dish to Dirt is a home composting program that provides education and engagement with the community, but to also institute new practices and behaviors at home.
We're here to dish the dirt!
The City of Springfield is offering a FREE home composting class to residents in the Waste District O region, (Greene, Christian, Webster, Polk, and Dallas counties) along with resources for successful year-round composting, tips, and backyard composter, compost turner, and kitchen collector upon course completion. Classes are offered in the spring and fall with both virtual and in person formats.
For additional information or questions, please email [email protected]
HOME COMPOSTING 101
It seems simple enough to throw old food scraps into a bin and then wait for it to turn into compost. It is easy, but it does take a little more effort and understanding to make it work right.
WHAT IS COMPOST?
Composting is the natural breakdown of organic wastes by micro and macroorganisms found in nature. Basically, it’s turning these critters into nature’s recycling men! Composting helps to conserve resources and divert organic materials from our landfill, instead turning your food scraps and yardwaste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment.
THE BENEFITS OF USING COMPOST
COMPOST INGREDIENTS
The recipe for blue ribbon compost:
GREENS - Nitrogen Rich
BROWNS - Carbon Rich
AIR
WATER
KEEP THESE OUT!:
Meat & dairy
Bones
Grease, oil, & fat
Charcoal ash or briquettes
Diseased plants
Pet waste
plants harmful to humans
BIN CARE TIPS
The act of composting sounds easy enough, but there are steps to follow. As provided through oue D2D: home composting course, our staff demonstrate some tips for checking your bin, layering, using your compost, and relocating your bin.