Composting provides many environmental, economic, and social benefits. Community composting is designed to meet local needs, serve local interests, and engage the community. Unfortunately, municipal zoning codes can present unintended barriers for community composters—for example, by treating composting facilities the same way as large waste facilities. The NRDC/ELI Model Resolution to Consider Establishing Community Composting as a Permissible Land Use Under Zoning Code can be adopted by municipal legislative bodies as a first step towards establishing and governing community composting as a permissible land use under the zoning code. For a deeper dive, check out this blog.
Also check out the accompanying resources: (1) Model Ordinance with Commentaries, (2) Model Ordinance without Commentaries, (3) Background Memorandum, and (4) Slide Presentation.
This resource is part of a broader effort by ELI’s Center for State and Local Governance to develop adaptable model governance tools that make it easier for state and local governments in the United States to advance climate, environmental, and waste reduction solutions. You can find the full suite of model governance tools here.