Research Reports

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.

Even once a municipality has reduced zoning barriers (see the previous model resolution), community composters may still encounter regulatory barriers—such as nuisance determinations—at both the municipal and state levels that can hinder their ability to establish and sustain operations.

Local governments are well-positioned to address our nation’s food waste problem, and to lead by example in doing so. The NRDC/ELI Model Resolution to Encourage Municipal Leadership on Food Waste Reduction can be adopted by municipal legislative bodies as a first step towards measures to reduce the amount of food wasted throughout municipal operations, highlight the importance of reducing food waste, and demonstrate food waste reduction measures that businesses and other entities may voluntarily replicate.

On March 26, 2025, ELI held a workshop in Nassau on Advancing Fisheries Management in The Bahamas through Data Tools and Technology.

Even once a municipality has reduced zoning barriers (see the previous model), community composters may still encounter regulatory barriers—such as nuisance determinations—at both the municipal and state levels that can hinder their ability to establish and sustain operations. The NRDC/ELI/ILSR Model Municipal Ordinance on Advancing Community Composting is intended to remove unreasonable regulatory barriers to and provide opportunities for community composting.