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 Break it Down in TX!

Break it Down is a composting and recycling service based in Austin, TX. They have a unique facility where they can then process the differing food wastes using dehydration or a biochar retort to achieve specific materials. Biobag Associate spoke to with Thalia Bachmann-Padilla, Sr. Waste Diversion Manager, at Break it Down about the organization. Their interview is transcribed below.

What led you to start your composting operation?

While working at a South Austin yoga studio, co-owner Melanie noticed that the compostable cups used for chai tea were being discarded in the trash rather than composted. These cups would end up in landfills, and instead of breaking down, would contribute to methane emissions released from landfills. Unable to find a composting service catering to small businesses, she and her husband Jeff decided to take matters into their own hands. With nothing more than a truck and determination, they launched Break it Down, driven by a vision to transform food waste into valuable resources. Overcoming early funding challenges, the company has grown into a leading composting and recycling provider for businesses in Austin, Waco, and San Antonio. Today, Break it Down lives up to its tagline, Composting, and Beyond, by innovatively repurposing organic materials.