Reducing Contamination in Composting Webinar Series

  • Nov 3, 2025
  • Jordan Ashby
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  • Presentations & Events
  • Composting for Community
  • Community Composting
  • Home Composting
  • On-farm Composting
  • Climate and Environmental Justice
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    Contamination is a major challenge for composting at all scales, often requiring significant investments of labor, time, and money to manage. This webinar series offers a deep dive into three aspects of contamination and composting, including on-site management, outreach and education, and measurement.

    This webinar series, together with our broader library of composting-related webinar recordings, is one way ILSR supports the growth of a distributed and diverse composting infrastructure that includes community-scale and on-farm systems. Explore our other composting-related webinar recordings.

    Series Collection

  • February 25, 2025

    In this webinar, three food scrap composters shared tips and lessons learned about cutting contamination in their finished product. Following the presentations, there is also a moderated Q&A session.

    Presenter:

    • Pierce Louis – Co-Founder, Dirt Hugger (WA)
    • Ryan Green – Owner/Lead Composter, Happy Trash Can (MT)
    • Tom Gilbert – Owner/Operator, Black Dirt Farm (VT)

    Moderator: 

    • Brenda Platt – Director, Composting for Community Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)

    Access the recording

  • Apr 2, 2025

    This webinar explores how innovative education and outreach strategies – including social marketing campaigns to impact behavior – can reduce contamination issues at the source. If you’re involved in an existing composting initiative or interested in supporting composting in your community, this webinar is for you.

    Presenter:

    • Justin Senkbeil – Chief Executive Officer, CompostNow (NC)
    • Kelsey Bailey – Organics Circular Economy Program Manager, King County Solid Waste Division (WA)
    • Joey Schmitt – Director, Action Research Inc. (CA)

    Moderator: 

    • Brenda Platt – Director, Composting for Community Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)

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  • Jun 12, 2025

    Learn how Hutchinson, Minnesota, is reducing compost contamination by combining rigorous measurement with creative, community-driven outreach. In particular, you’ll hear two experts share insights from Compost It Right!, a comprehensive education campaign that uses clear messaging, citywide materials, and strong partnerships to boost participation and reduce contamination in curbside organics collection.

    Presenter:

    • Mimi Shah – Principal, Amplify for Change (Washington, DC)
    • Cassandra Meuffels – Outreach and Education Coordinator, Creekside Soils (Hutchinson, MN)
    • Frederick (Fred) C. Michel Jr. – Professor, The Ohio State University (OH)
    • Caroline Barry – Program Manager, Center for the Circular Economy at Closed Loop Partners

    Moderator: 

    • Brenda Platt – Director, Composting for Community Initiative, Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR)

    Access the recording

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