In Depth

Oh, Rats! How to Avoid Rodents at Community Composting Sites

Oh, Rats! How to Avoid Rodents at Community Composting Sites

Sophia Hosain

August 29, 2022

Contrary to popular belief, composting in cities does not cause rodent problems. This guide shows how composting food scraps, instead of dumping them in the trash, has the power to mitigate rodent pressures in urban neighborhoods.  READ MORE


Recently Posted

Vox: Climate fixes are all aimed at property owners. What about renters?

Vox: Climate fixes are all aimed at property owners. What about renters?

Reggie Rucker

July 27, 2022

Linda Bilsens Brolis, senior project manager for the Composting for Community Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance explains how renters can take an active role in combating climate change through composting.  READ MORE


Single-Stream Recycling Doesn’t Work

Single-Stream Recycling Doesn't Work

Netanel Hutman

July 7, 2022

...material reuse through for-profit and nonprofit operations is a mechanism for the redistribution of material wealth. The businesses also have a positive impact on job creation, community development and the environment. “Reuse is the highest form of recycling because finished products are revived and their productive purpose is extended,” said Dan Kna  READ MORE


Waste Dive: Surveying the corporate-controlled EPR landscape in 2022

Waste Dive: Surveying the corporate-controlled EPR landscape in 2022

Neil Seldman

June 23, 2022

Neil Seldman, co-founder of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance and director of the Waste to Wealth Initiative is published at Waste Dive detailing how corporate dominance over municipal recycling has proven to be a recipe for disaster.  READ MORE


The 2022 REBUILD Act: Building Deconstruction and the Revitalization of Baltimore Communities

The 2022 REBUILD Act: Building Deconstruction and the Revitalization of Baltimore Communities

Neil Seldman

June 23, 2022

Stephanie Compton and Dante Swinton, Energy Justice Network, a national organization based in Philadelphia with a long record of work in Baltimore, are working to extend the impact of deconstruction on Baltimore as an extension of EJN’s efforts to close the downtown garbage incinerator, increase recycling through block leader programs a  READ MORE


Model State Legislation: Funding Waste Diversion and On-Farm Composting via a Disposal Surcharge

Model State Legislation: Funding Waste Diversion and On-Farm Composting via a Disposal Surcharge

Sophia Jones

June 15, 2022

A per-ton surcharge on waste disposed is a funding mechanism with a proven track record of raising funds to reduce and recycle waste. This model bill serves to address the need for state investment into waste reduction and diversion programs and infrastructure by establishing major grant funding based on a  READ MORE