Each month, we will highlight community heroes that are making a difference in their communities and working to make their local environments cleaner and healthier.
This month, we are taking a look at Garbage to Garden in ME!
Garbage to Garden is a composting service based in ME that collects your food scraps at the curb, leaving you with a clean bucket or a fresh compostable liner* - and, if requested, a bag of finished compost. Biobag Associate spoke to Phoebe Lyttle with Garbage to Garden about the organization. Their interview is transcribed below.
What led you to start your composting operation?
In August of 2012, GTG Founder Tyler Frank was living in a 2nd story apartment in Portland, ME and like most urban dwellers didn't have space available for a compost pile. Tyler and his roommates pondered why they couldn't just put compost out on the curb like trash and recycling, and in the moment between wondering and wishing, Garbage to Garden took root. Days later, Frank set up a table during a First Friday Artwalk and by the end of the evening 17 households subscribed to the service and then the real fun began!
Who do you serve and how can people get in touch with you if they want to start composting?
Garbage to Garden serves the following communities:
From our Portland, Maine based HQ: Bath, Biddeford, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, North Yarmouth, Portland, Scarborough, Standish, South Portland, Westbrook, Windham, Yarmouth.
From our satellite operation based in Saugus, Massachusetts: Arlington, Belmont, Medford, Somerville
Interested folks can sign up on our website at garbagetogarden.org, email us at [email protected] or call us at 207-332-0277 in Maine and 617-977-4547 in Massachusetts.
How much organic material do you typically take in on a weekly basis?
Garbage to Garden collects nearly 80-100 tons of organic waste per week from over 10,000 households and hundreds of businesses, schools, and other organizations.
Feel free to add any additional information about your operation as you see fit.
We are very community-oriented at GtG! In an effort to make composting affordable and accessible to everyone, participants can receive free service in exchange for getting involved in the community. We send out a newsletter each month that lists volunteer opportunities in Maine and Massachusetts! Questions pertaining to our volunteer program can be directed to [email protected].
We also service many local businesses. In addition to our commercial composting services, we provide comprehensive recycling services for a wide range of businesses including office buildings, cafes, schools, breweries, dispensaries, you name it! We offer a flexible, cost-effective service as well as helpful signage and education to keep service smooth and accessible for everyone involved.
Garbage to Garden will provide anything from a 32-gallon toter for compostables at your backyard BBQ to fully staffed waste management at multi-day music festivals! We are looking forward to the time when we can safely gather at events like this in 2021 and beyond!
