UCDD will being a series of free composting classes in each Upper Cumberland county beginning this month.
UCDD Solid Waste Planner Lisa Luck said UCDD received a grant from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. Luck said the classes will teach people the basics of composting, such as how to set up a composting site at home.
“It’s so easy to compost,” Luck said. “Anybody can do it. Even if you don’t have space outdoors, you can still compost your food waste, and so we just want to provide education about the importance of reducing our food waste and managing what food waste we have properly.”
Luck said food waste is commonly disposed of in plastic bags. When disposed of in this way, the food releases methane, which is a byproduct gas that harms the atmosphere by warming it. Luck said composting provides several benefits and is simply the best way to dispose of food.
“It decomposes naturally,” Luck said. “All the vitamins and all of the food that you were gonna put into the landfill, it stays in your yard and you can use that. It takes about a year for it to decompose. You can use that dirt on your garden or flower bed. It is just full of nutrients, so it’s such a shame to put those in the garbage for so many reasons.”
Luck said she has taught composting classes in Putnam County for several years. Luck said the composting classes have proven to be quite beneficial.
“Last year, we got a report of 200 tons worth of food waste was composted.” Luck said. “And that was just maybe 30, 40, 50 people that reported. I can’t remember how many it was, but that is incredible that just so few people could divert that much food waste from the waste stream.”
Luck said the UCDD has set up two classes on March 15, 10am in Macon County at the Red Boiling Springs Library and 12pm at the Lafayette Public Library. Luck said a class for Pickett County has been scheduled on March 22, 10am at the Pickett County Public Library.
Luck said more classes will be added to the schedule as they are secured. Classes will be offered until June 30.
