Compost Crew’s community programs offer discounted rates for residents in a designated area. Today’s spotlight focuses on Lisa White, who has been a Compost Crew customer since October of this year. Lisa’s efforts to spread the word about composting around the neighborhood of Forest Estates in DC demonstrate how one person can scale their impact in helping to reduce food waste. During our conversation, Lisa shared her experience starting her own community program with us, despite having no previous experience with food waste recycling.
Compost Crew: Tell us about your background.
Lisa: I currently live in the DC area with my husband and two kids. During the week I work as a Physical Therapist at an area hospital. On weekends you can often find me at a sporting event cheering on my son and daughter.
Compost Crew: How are you involved in your community outside of Compost Crew?
Lisa: I am not involved in my immediate neighborhood association, but I serve as PTA fundraising chair at my daughter’s elementary school and on my Temple’s Board of Education.
Compost Crew: Did you have any previous experience with composting?
Lisa: I had no previous experience with composting. During the pandemic it is something my husband and I spoke about, but didn’t really know how to get started.
Compost Crew: What inspired you to recruit members of your community?
Lisa: I went to an event where someone was speaking about Compost Crew and her neighborhood’s participation with it. I thought, “I can do this too.” I reached out to my neighborhood and they were eager to participate as well.
Compost Crew: What methods of outreach did you use?
Lisa: Our neighborhood has a very active listserv, so that has been my primary means of outreach so far. That, and word of mouth.
Compost Crew: Any advice for other community champions?
Lisa: I didn’t know what sort of reception I would get from my neighborhood and my multiple posts but everyone has been supportive and appreciative of the efforts. If it’s something you want to do….just do it. We started to compost for our own reasons, but are happy to give others the nudge as well. It’s a win-win.
Compost Crew: What helped you to launch your community program?
Lisa: Compost Crew was responsive and helpful as I reached out with many questions during the process.
Thank you, Lisa, for taking the time to share your experience creating a community program and for your dedication to reducing food waste!
If you are interested in starting your own community program today, or have any questions, complete this short form and we will get in contact with you. To learn more about our fantastic community champions, you can read Xin’s story here, and Shoshana’s story here.
Edited by: Sarah Cedro, Residential Composting Analyst
