Project Updates
For my project, I will focus on Seattle's system of compost as a part of the city's waste management. I am going to attend a seminar which will provide individuals with the knowledge to compost in the right way in Wallingford on April 22nd. I hope the seminar will give me a better sense on composting and perhaps inspirations on to promote the concept of compost in the community. As for the communication question, I want to look into the education aspect of compost. What are different organizations or state departments doing to educate the public? How well educated are the Seattleites on the concept of compost? And how many household are doing some sort of composting at home? I will also go check out the first compost toilet in Seattle and perhaps interview the organization or people who came up with the design. I may use the UW as a case study and find out how the UW community is doing with composting. It will be a great help if any of you can give me some feedback!
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Instead of just asking questions to people to see how well educated they are about composting, it might be fun to set up a table near the HUB. You could have 20-30 common items, some of which are not compostable and others of which are, and ask people to identify which are/aren't. If they missed some items, you could give them an info flyer, and if they got them all right, you could give them a prize. Maybe compostable trash bags or something, so they can start composting on their own?
I really like the idea of what you're doing, but I will offer you some ideas on taking it further. There's a movement to encourage apartment dwellers to have miniature compost bins or worm bins, but it's always seemed to me that there isn't a universal outlet for all that nutrient-rich soil that would be produced. Some folks use it for small vegetable plantings or community gardens, but what about folks who can't do that? Maybe you could look into "soil use" options for folks who would like to compost, but have no use for the lovely soil they would produce. Just a thought. :)