Environment Council of Rhode Island

Sponsors & Speakers

Morning Session

• Michael Virga, Executive Director — US Composting Council
• Joshua Nelson, Director of Operations/Partner — Agrilab Technologies, LLP
• Phil Holloway, Director of Organic Diversion Services — EPS of Vermont, Inc.

Afternoon Session

• Nancy Warner, Co-owner — The Worm Ladies of Charlestown, Inc.
• Michael Bradlee — Providence Inventor & Compost Innovator
• Robert Ross, Associate Instructor — Johnson & Wales University, Providence
• Greg Gerritt — Environment Council of Rhode Island

Directions to Hope Artiste Village, 1005 Main Street, Pawtucket, RI 02860

With Support From:

• Environment Council of Rhode Island's Compost Initiative
• Greater Providence Urban Agriculture Task Force

The purpose of this conference is to provide up to date information about what is going on in the compost universe both locally and nationally, with an emphasis on the former, to show the state of the art in composting technology and collection practices. We will hear about how the hospitality industries are getting ready for full scale composting, and to put our heads and rolodexes together to see if we can find a way to speed up the development of the industry in Rhode Island.

Landfill space is getting scarce and more communities are beginning to realize that food scrap can become an asset for the community rather than an expensive liability. Many communities around the country and the world are starting and expanding compost programs.

Nearly all of Rhode Island’s food scrap is currently buried in the landfill creating large quantities of methane, a very potent greenhouse gas. If we collected and composted or digested our food scrap the benefits would include:

1. Compost to build the soil fertility for our local agricultural renaissance.
2. Jobs making and distributing compost.
3. Longer life for the Central Landfill.
4. Clean energy.
5. Fewer Greenhouse Gas emissions.

Every community faces slightly different challenges in moving towards the collection and composting of its organic scrap. At this conference you will learn about a variety of composting programs currently in use. You will also learn a variety of best practices from professionals and leaders in the field to help determine what can work well for your business or commmunity and how your elected and appointed officials can help.