Composting Subcommittee

Composting Subcommittee

The Composting Subcommittee works to center composting as an essential part of a just, sustainable, and community-led food system. By advocating for composting infrastructure, supportive policies, and public education, we are helping build a local food system that values both soil health and climate resilience.

Our vision includes a future where composting is easy, accessible, and integrated into every level of city and county planning—from backyard bins to regional drop-off hubs.

Our Focus Areas

  • Promoting composting as a core food systems and climate solution

  • Advancing zoning regulations that support composting in urban and suburban settings

  • Supporting local composting infrastructure through partnerships with haulers, municipalities, and community groups

  • Educating the public and policymakers on the benefits of composting

  • Embedding composting into local Zero Waste, climate action, and food infrastructure plans

Current Projects

Model Compost-Supportive Land Use Policy

Identifying and addressing policy barriers that prevent community composting from flourishing.

  • Researching current zoning and permitting barriers in Pittsburgh and Allegheny County

  • Drafting ordinance or model language to make it easier to start and operate compost sites

  • Partnering with local legal allies and councilmembers to introduce policy solutions

  • Sharing case studies like Philadelphia’s Parks composting site to demonstrate feasibility

Municipal Composting Policy & Infrastructure Advocacy

Tracking and shaping how composting appears in official city and county planning.

  • Monitoring the City’s SoilMill PGH pilot and related Zero Waste RFPs

  • Advocating for municipal yard waste composting and new food waste drop-offs

  • Reviewing local climate plans, budgets, and infrastructure priorities for compost alignment

  • Co-developing compost recommendations in upcoming infrastructure plans

Compost Site & Micro-Hauler Network Development

Helping build a thriving ecosystem of haulers, processors, and drop-off programs.

  • Mapping current haulers and composting entrepreneurs

  • Identifying municipalities that can scale up food waste capacity

  • Exploring partnerships to support workforce needs within municipal operations

Municipal Survey & Compost Infrastructure Audit

To guide advocacy, we’re gathering region-wide data on composting capacity and challenges.

  • Finalizing and distributing a municipal survey

  • Collecting info on current compost programs, capacity, and roadblocks

  • Using data to support future funding requests and policy changes

Community Access & Drop-Off Strategy

We want every resident to have access to composting, no matter their zip code.

  • Recommending priority locations for new drop-off sites

  • Exploring regulatory tools like “permit by rule” to support community-based composting

  • Partnering with CONNECT and County leads to assessing cross-jurisdictional coordination

Woodchip Distribution Coordination

Urban agriculture and composting both benefit from access to clean wood chips.

  • Coordinating with City partners and arborists to streamline chip distribution

  • Promoting an updated Wood Chips Sign-Up Form and chip quality guidance

Outreach, Education & Resource Sharing

We're building the knowledge base for a more compost-literate region.

  • Collaborating with groups like PASUP and PRC to share resources

  • Amplifying learnings from the SoilMill PGH pilot

  • Coordinating feedback and visuals for countywide compost infrastructure recommendations

Get Involved

If you care about composting, sustainability, or waste justice, there’s a seat for you at our table. Whether you're a composter, policymaker, resident, or educator, your insight will help us shape a healthier, more regenerative future.

To get involved or stay updated, email: info@pittsburghfoodpolicy.org