Composting in Reading: what residents need to know
(4-5 minute read)
For residents interested in sustainability and reducing waste, a recent community event at the Reading Public Library highlighted how composting could play a larger role in Reading’s future.
Held on March 19, the Reading Climate Action Committee hosted the event, which brought together about 30 attendees, from students to seniors, to learn about composting options, current local programs, and the broader environmental and financial impact of food waste.
Key takeaways
Nearly half of household waste could be composted
A local waste audit showed that approximately 47% of the waste stream is compostable, representing a major opportunity to reduce trash.
Rising disposal costs and landfill limits are driving urgency
With landfill closures on the horizon and increasing costs, composting is being positioned as a practical long-term solution.
Participation remains low - but has room to grow
About 5% of Reading households currently participate in curbside composting, with opportunities to expand through education and incentives.
Composting as a solution to a growing problem
Justin from Black Earth Compost outlined the scale of the issue and the opportunity.
A 2022 audit of 200 Reading households found that:
47% of waste was compostable
25% was trash
28% was recyclable
Food waste, including meat, dairy, bones, and soiled paper, can all be composted through commercial programs.
At the same time, disposal challenges are increasing:
Trash is being transported as far as Alabama
Landfills in Massachusetts are expected to close between 2027 and 2031
Costs for disposal continue to rise
“These pressures make composting one of the most immediate and effective ways to reduce the waste stream,” Justin noted.
Environmental and community benefits
Justin emphasized that composting offers both environmental and local benefits:
Reduces methane emissions from landfills
Creates nutrient-rich soil
Improves nutrient retention and soil health
Reduces reliance on fertilizers
Supports local food production
The process was described as part of a broader “regenerative cycle” that returns nutrients to the soil and strengthens local ecosystems.
Current participation in Reading
According to Black Earth Compost,
About 525 Reading households currently subscribe
Participation is around 5%
Expanding to 1,000 households could significantly reduce costs and increase impact
Justin noted that participation tends to plateau around 20% in private-pay systems without additional municipal support.
Suggestions to increase participation included:
Subsidizing compost bins or services
Expanding outreach through schools and town communications
Offering rebates or incentives
Local efforts and programs
Chris Cole, Reading’s Director of Public Works (DPW), shared existing and upcoming options:
Home compost bins are available for $30 through DPW
Yard waste drop-off at the Strout Ave Compost Center
A future pilot food scrap drop-off program under consideration
Officials emphasized the role of backyard composting while noting its limitations, such as its inability to accept meat or dairy.
Education and community involvement
Speakers highlighted the importance of education, especially in schools, for building long-term habits.
Programs in schools can:
Reduce contamination in compost streams
Encourage participation at home
Introduce sustainability practices early
Community events, such as a planned Pumpkin Smash with Reading Composts! this fall, were also noted as ways to engage residents.
Looking ahead
As Massachusetts faces tightening waste capacity and rising costs, composting is increasingly being viewed as a key part of the solution.
Presenters pointed to models like Austria, where decentralized composting systems have significantly reduced landfill use and created a closed-loop system for food and soil.
For Reading, the path forward may depend on a combination of:
Increased participation
Expanded local programs
Continued education and outreach
Residents interested in getting started with composting can explore current options through the town and private providers, with more initiatives expected in the coming months.
