Earthgirl Composting

Why compost?* Each year in the US approximately 33% of household trash is food waste, yard waste, and non-recyclable paper waste, all of which can be composted. This waste is then burned or dumped into landfills. Imagine the space we could save by composting. Imagine turning approximately 33% of your trash into nutrient filled compost that is used by local farmers, gardeners, and landscapers. Composting with EARTHGIRL COMPOSTING benefits everyone by: Saving landfill space Supporting local businesses Supporting sustainable agriculture Compost improves soil structure and minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides which are destructive to your soil, your health, and the environment. Adding compost to your soil benefits the environment by: Improving soil and plant fertility Reducing soil erosion and runoff Conserving water Reducing the number of chemicals ending up in Lake Champlain and other waterways *Thank you to the Composting Association of Vermont for providing most of this information.

What can be composted? COMPOST THESE!! ALL FOOD SCRAPS, INCLUDING:      Meat, bones, fish, and seafood      Seafood shells      Fruits and vegetables      Eggs and eggshells      Milk, cheese, and other dairy      Dressings, condiments, and sauces      Soups      Flour, bread, pasta, and pastries      Coffee grounds and filters      Nuts and nut shells      Spices      Oils and fats BROWN PAPER TOWELS/NAPKINS COFFEE FILTERS PUT THESE IN THE TRASH, RECYCLE OR REUSE!! PAPER PRODUCTS, INCLUDING:      White paper towels/napkins      Feminine care products      Sugar/sweetener packets (recycle)      Milk/juice/refrigerator/freezer cartons      To go cups/containers (recycle plastic ones)      Pizza boxes (recycle clean areas)      Cotton balls and swabs      Tea bags and envelopes PLASTICS, INCLUDING: (recycle #1-7)      Stickers on produce      Compostable/biodegradable plastic      Utensils      Straws and stirrers      Mini-creamers      Bags      Twist-ties      Plastic wrap      Packaging FLORAL PRODUCTS, INCLUDING:      Plants and flowers CLOTH, INCLUDING:      Handi-wipes and cloth rags RUBBER BANDS FECES (animal or human) CHEMICALS/HAZARDOUS MATERIALS STYROFOAM

Compost Pickup Services (available to households and non-food-based businesses) Regularly scheduled pickups: Food and brown paper waste pickup: A household of two that eats most meals at home will typically fill one bucket every two weeks. Residential pickup cost: $10.50/bucket for weekly pickup $15.50/bucket for biweekly pickup $20.50/bucket for monthly pickup (ask about neighborhood discounts) Commercial pickup cost: $13.00/bucket (ask about our Corporate Discount Program) Event Composting: You can compost at your party, civil union, wedding, conference, meeting, or any other event. We will provide you with an estimate based on your menu and the number of attendees. Referral Discounts: Receive 25% off the cost of four pickups for each household or business you refer that signs up with Earthgirl Composting. If you fill multiple buckets for each pickup, the discount will apply to four of your buckets. * Unfortunately, we do not have the capacity to offer compost pickup for food-based businesses at this time. Testimonials "Thinking ahead to hire Earthgirl Composting, was for the money, an excellent way to walk the talk and educate our conference attendees about small ways that can make a big difference. One hotel conference center composting might be small, but if all hotels composted the results would be profound!" -Roger Stephenson Clean Air Cool Planet "We are thrilled to be working with Megan and Earthgirl Composting. With Megan's inspiration and muscle, we began a school-wide composting program this fall. Using a cedar bin from Gardener's Supply and plastic buckets in all of the classrooms and bathrooms, we are composting all of our food scraps from snack and lunch as well as all those brown paper hand towels. The students help Megan take out the compost and turn it on a weekly basis. When the compost turns into that rich soil, it will be used in our school gardens. The kids take such pride in this work. They are involved at every level and are able to see first-hand how to turn their waste into soil and how to be good stewards of their environment. Thank you, Megan!" -Stacy Weinberger, School Director The Bellwether School "We have over 100 staff and 3 kitchens at VEIC. Composting is very important to us and the service Earthgirl Composting provides is invaluable. We used to rely on staff to take the buckets when they were full, but it became a chore to recruit volunteers. Since Earthgirl, we have doubled the amount of compost coming out of our kitchens each week." -Danielle McMahon, Office Manager Vermont Energy Investment Corporation Megan Kolbay, Earthgirl | 802.223.1271 | E-mail Earthgirl Composting