Zach McElrath’s Post

Community composting plays a crucial role in organics management, compost education, local employment, and climate change mitigation. However, policies that hinder these programs’ essential, often overlooked contributions should be reevaluated and revised. For instance, a recent article highlights the eviction of Big Reuse from a Queens parking lot by the Adams administration in New York City. By supporting community composting initiatives, we can enhance soil health, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a positive impact at the local level1. 🌱🌎https://lnkd.in/gCVZm8E6

I first learned about urban composting - that it was even a thing - when I visited San Fran in about 2006...ever curious as to why there were curbside little bins when I noticed the waste removal service. (yup, I'm super interested in urban manufactured waste removal and systems!). Since then it has slowly slowwwwwly made it's way to the east Coast and new England. but in 2014 when I left Somerville, Massachusetts - a place culturally primed to add environmental solutions to their waste, build soil for their burgeoning community gardens and parks, and also ensure they were controlling a pest problem and hyper focused on waste removal in a heavy community and industrial building phase - I was disappointed that we had moved towards single stream recycling and that composting food scraps in an incredibly densely populated area wasn't yet on the table (at times topping the charts as the most dense per sq miles in the US). Surely, they had the template from other cities, with less infrastructure or more complicated land to cover. But I have learned - We need more people on the ground. A map (template) is great, but a guide is better. A guide situated to the climate and biome and not only environmental planning - how composting works - AND community, behavioral, policy, structure, logistics are needed too. I'm very pleased to see that these strategic ecosystems are continuing to be built and expand and scale. More maps and more guides and more teams and more explorers! and more soil 💯

🌏 World Environment Day 🌏 Today, we join hands with the world to celebrate World Environment Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness and taking action towards environmental conservation 🌿 This year’s theme, "Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration," shines a spotlight on the issues of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience. At Community Resources, we're deeply committed to these causes and actively contribute through our three incredible environmental repair social enterprises. Here's how we're making a difference: 🛏 Recycling end-of-life mattresses to keep them out of landfills through Soft Landing, reducing pollution of our soil and waterways and protecting natural ecosystems. ♻️ Supporting the local circular economy in towns across Australia through our Resource Recovery Australia Reviva Reuse Stores and Green Connect Illawarra Op Shops, ensuring maximum waste diversion and reducing the need to extract more natural resources from our environment. 🥦 Growing fair food for the Illawarra community while protecting soil health by using organic and permaculture principles at our urban farm Green Connect Illawarra and restoring the patch of endemic Illawarra Subtropical Rainforest at this site. 🗑️ Supporting Sydney and Illawarra businesses and organisations to reduce their waste, cleaning up local beaches and other natural sites, and contributing to landcare through our Green Connect Zero Waste and Ethical Labour Hire services. Most importantly, we work to provide education and training to people in our local communities, equipping as many people as we can with the tools to protect our planet 🤝 We're thankful for the support of our staff, volunteers, customers, clients, funders, donors and partners for supporting us to continue caring for people and planet. Collaboration is key! Today, we encourage everyone to learn a little more about protecting our environment and think about the actions you can take at home, in your workplace and in your communities to preserve our land for future generations 🌏 #WorldEnvironmentDay #LandRestoration #SocialEnterprise #Inspire #Sustainability #CircularEconomy

Pickfords is championing No Mow May! 🌱 Since 1930's, the UK has lost approximately 97% of flower-rich meadows, along with the essential food sources they provide for pollinators like bees and butterflies 🐝🦋 A healthy lawn with areas of long grass and wildflowers can benefit wildlife, reduce pollution and even store carbon in the soil. Throughout May, Plantlife has been encouraging households and businesses to participate in #NoMowMay and do so every year, allowing wild plants to flourish during the early summer season. This year we have taken part at our Kings Langley, Hertfordshire branch, avoiding mowing our grass verges around the car park. As a result, Oxeye daisies (Lecanthemum vulgare) have bloomed. The yellow centre of the oxeye daisy is made up of numerous small flowers that hold nectar, attracting various pollinating insects, including butterflies, bees and hoverflies At Pickfords, we have adopted a nature-positive approach to help reduce our impact on the environment. To find more about Our Green Approach, visit our website 👇 https://lnkd.in/es9e_8Sa #hashtags #Pickfords #movinghouse #removals #movinghome #removalscompany #lifestyle #homemoving #internationalmoving #officemoving #unitedkingdom #sustainableremovals #sustainableremovalcompany #carbonneutral #carbonneutralremovalcompany #carbonneutralcompany #NoMowMay #oxeyedaisy #naturepositive #socialvalue #sustainability #globalmobility

How to Reforest: Restoring Nature for a Better Future Reforesting is the process of planting trees in deforested or degraded areas to restore ecosystems and combat climate change. This practice not only helps to recover lost biodiversity but also improves air quality, enhances water cycles, and supports local communities. Why is reforesting important? Deforestation has led to habitat loss, reduced biodiversity, and increased carbon emissions. Reforesting addresses these issues by reestablishing forests that serve as carbon sinks, protect wildlife, and prevent soil erosion. What are the key steps in reforesting? 1. Site Assessment: Evaluate the area to determine soil quality, climate, and existing vegetation to select suitable tree species. 2. Tree Planting: Choose native species to ensure ecological compatibility and start planting. Ensure proper spacing and care for young trees. 3. Ongoing Care: Monitor growth, manage pests, and provide water and nutrients to support tree development. 4. Community Involvement: Engage local communities in reforestation efforts to enhance project success and provide economic benefits. How can you contribute to reforesting efforts? - Support Reforestation Projects: Donate to or volunteer with organizations focused on tree planting. - Plant Trees: Participate in local tree-planting events or start a project in your own community. - Advocate for Forest Conservation: Promote policies that protect existing forests and support reforestation initiatives. At our self-sustainable city project, we are integrating reforestation into our development plans to restore natural habitats and enhance environmental health. Learn more about our efforts and how you can get involved by visiting Self-Sustainable City. Join us in making a positive impact on the planet! #Reforesting #TreePlanting #EcoFriendly #SustainableDevelopment #SelfSustainableCity https://lnkd.in/gwN6VvER

Why should we all become conservationists? It's not just about saving trees or animals; it's about preserving our planet's biodiversity, ensuring clean air and water, combating climate change, and safeguarding our health and food security. Join me in embracing conservation to sustain life as we know it and create a livable planet for future generations. Read my latest blog to learn more about why this mission is crucial for all of us. #Conservation #Sustainability #FutureGenerations #EnvironmentalStewardship https://lnkd.in/eFrmWsTd

‘Protecting forests should take priority over planting new ones’. This is a very practical take on the climate crisis. The article explains why. In addition, I believe we need to protect urban and rural trees, as well as protecting the remaining forests we have. With our future at stake, we need big picture thinking. Developers, farmers, landscape architects, architects and urban planners have all been guilty of removing existing trees. Councils have been complicit in tree removal from development sites, and from agricultural land. That must change. Councils need to protect the biodiversity and carbon stored within existing mature trees, develop around (not through!) them if necessary, and concurrently mandate tree planting within healthy, layered plant communities. NZ is lagging behind and needs to recognise the urgent need to change its tree protections. Happily, advice is available. Consultation is currently open. If you can offer your expertise, please submit your thoughts to Christchurch City Council Auckland Council Wellington City Council or wherever you can add value.

🌳 How EcoForestCO2 Enhances Ecosystems 🌳 At EcoForestCO2, we are committed to restoring and preserving the natural beauty and functionality of our planet's ecosystems. Our efforts focus on creating a balanced and thriving environment where nature and communities coexist harmoniously. 🔍 Our Approach: 1. Reforestation Initiatives: We actively engage in reforestation projects, planting native tree species that provide habitat for wildlife and contribute to biodiversity. Our goal is to restore degraded lands and create green spaces that benefit both the environment and local communities. 2. 🌬️Carbon Offset Programs: By developing and commercializing carbon credits, we offer businesses and individuals the opportunity to offset their carbon footprint. Our carbon offset projects are carefully designed to support ecosystem restoration and promote sustainable land use practices. 3. 👨🏼🌾Community Involvement: We believe in the power of collective action. Through community outreach and educational programs, we encourage individuals and organizations to participate in conservation efforts. Together, we can make a significant impact on our environment. 4. 💧Waterway Protection: Healthy forests play a crucial role in maintaining clean water sources. Our reforestation projects help to protect and restore watersheds, ensuring the availability of clean water for wildlife and human populations alike. 5. 🐝Biodiversity Conservation: By restoring natural habitats, we support the preservation of various plant and animal species. Our efforts contribute to the resilience of ecosystems, allowing them to adapt to changing environmental conditions. 📈 Results: Our projects have successfully revitalized large areas of deforested land, improved soil quality, and increased the populations of native wildlife. These restored ecosystems provide essential services, such as carbon sequestration, water filtration, and climate regulation. Join Us: 🫱🏼🫲🏽 We invite you to be part of our mission to recover our forests and improve ecosystems. Together, we can create a sustainable future where nature thrives, and communities prosper. [email protected] Www.ecoforestco2.com

Happy World Bee Day!🐝 Read about the SWACO bees in Solid Waste Association of North America (SWANA)’s latest article!

As climate change and the waste crisis continue to impact our lives, educating the next generation is doubtlessly key. There are so many ways of encouraging environmental awareness and sustainability with your kids - from gardening and composting (maybe even making a mini greenhouse or worm farm) to introducing them to recycling and water conservation. It’s so important to introduce children to these topics from an early age, in order to help create positive change and ensure a better future for us all.