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Celebrating May 4-10, 2025, as International Compost Awareness Week in the City of Columbus.
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WHEREAS, the Composting Council Research and Education Foundation, along with Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom have declared the first week of May to be the annual International Composting Awareness Week; and
WHEREAS, composting converts materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable cuttings, food scraps, manures, and hay shavings into a beneficial product known as compost; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus, through its Sustainable Columbus office, is committed to imparting equity and environmental justice through strong climate action and is guided by the Columbus Climate Action Plan which has a community-wide goal of carbon neutrality by 2050 and 45% reduction in emissions by 2030; and
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Service Division of Refuse and Keep Columbus Beautiful has been working to towards the Climate Action Plan goal of 50% reduction in organic waste by 2030 and 90% reduction in organic waste by 2050; and
WHEREAS, the City of Columbus now has nine different Food Waste drop off locations throughout the city, including two Waste and Reuse Convenience Centers; and
WHEREAS, composting is an effective form of waste reduction, reuse, and recycling that returns organic resources to the soil which assist in conserving water during extreme drought or flooding conditions, reducing water consumption and non-point pollution, and a proven method of decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers and decreasing erosion; and
WHEREAS, local governments, highway departments, soil conservation service and extension offices, and public works professionals, can have significant impact on clean water, soil, climate change, and landfill diversion by using compost for public works projects; and
WHEREAS, composting creates green jobs and infrastructure for cities and states who implement composting programs; and
WHEREAS, International Compost Awareness Week is an education initiative to showcase compost production and demonstrate compost use; and
WHEREAS, Columbus City Council recognizes the importance of composting and supporting composting education efforts through out the city, and encourages residents to practice composting at home, school and in the work place; now therefore
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS: that this Council does hereby celebrated May 4-10, 2025, as International Compost Awareness Week in the City of Columbus.