Sustainable Neighborhood Network

Sustainable Neighborhoods Program

Your neighborhood. Your ideas. Your home.

Denver Compost Challenge

Did you know? Organic materials such as leaves, branches, grass clippings and food scraps make up more than 50% of what Denver residents send to the landfill each year. In order to meet Denver’s 2020 goal of recycling and composting 34%, we need to recycle and compost 31,000 tons more each year. Together, we can do this.

The Denver Compost Challenge was initiated by a group of active community volunteers, neighborhood green teams and sustainability groups who were seeking to build community connections at the neighbor-to-neighbor level while also building healthy soil through composting. The group approached Denver Public Works for support of their efforts, and Denver Solid Waste Management staff happily jumped on board with the Denver Compost Challenge.  Pairing the many composting resources available through Denver Solid Waste Management with the support of community groups and the Denver Sustainable Neighborhoods Program, the Denver Compost Challenge is a call to action for all Denverite’s to compost even more. We hope that you will join us in this important work to create a more sustainable future for us all and helps Denver reach it’s 2020 Sustainability Goals. 

 

Denver Compost Challenge Toolkit

The Denver Compost Challenge Toolkit is a compilation of information, resources, and ideas your neighborhood can use to encourage neighbors to start composting now! If you have ideas for additions to the toolkit, please email DenverCompostChallenge@gmail.com.

Denver Compost Challenge One-Pager
This is a simple one-page explanation of the Denver Compost Challenge.

Denver Compost Challenge Activity Tracking Sheet
Track your activities and engagement by filling out the following sheet whenever you complete an activity. Activities can be events, workshops, canvasing efforts, social media campaigns, and more. Being able to track our activities and engagement will help us to determine the effectiveness of this pilot Challenge.
*If you are in a participating Sustainable Neighborhood please continue to submit forms through the regular process. 

Ideas for Neighborhood Activities and Events
Not sure where your neighborhood or community group should start? Check out ideas for neighborhood activities and events that help support the Denver Compost Challenge.

Ideas for Publicity at the Neighborhood Level
Help us get the word out! The Denver Compost Challenge is for ALL Denver neighborhoods (really any compost-enthusiast!). Let's spread the word, get more neighborhoods involved, create more compost and less waste, and help Denver meet its waste diversion, sustainability, and climate action goals!

Example Social Media Posts
Don't forget to tag the Facebook group @DenverCompostChallenge and use the hashtags #DenverCompostChallenge and #ThisIsHowWeCompost!

Denver Compost Challenge Commitment Form
Make a commitment(s) to take action as part of the Denver Compost Challenge! Encourage your neighbors to make commitments as well. This form is available electronically via mobile device, laptop, computer. For in-person events we encourage neighbors to fill out the form electronically if a device is available, but the form can also be printed out. If your neighborhood group collects handwritten forms, please coordinate on how to report this information back to the Denver Compost Challenge team. If you would like a neighborhood-specific commitment form, please reach out to DenverCompostChallenge@gmail.com for more information about customization. 

Waste Sorting Quiz & Answer Key
Use this waste sorting quiz as a way to engage with your neighbors and begin conversations about the importance of proper waste sorting and preventing contamination in the compost stream!
 

Denver Compost Challenge Event Archive

The Denver Compost Challenge Event Archive houses content presented or shared at Denver Compost Challenge events throughout Denver. If you missed a workshop or activity but would like to review the information discussed you can check out the material here! If you are interested in contributing content or would like to inquire about hosting an event listed below please contact DenverCompostChallenge@gmail.com!

Community, Communication & Compost Workshop - Hosted 5/4/19
 A workshop on creating regenerative communities through the creation of compost. Through this workshop participants will:
1) Discover how design of your compost campaign can catalyze regenerative development in your community
2) Understand principles and practices of regenerative design and development 
3) Apply replicable activities and tools to design a compost campaign that restores social fabric and soil
4) Leave equipped with tools and resources to support socially and ecologically regenerative compost campaigns

Workshop Materials:
Activity Worksheets
Community Based Social Marketing Info Sheet

 

Denver Compost Challenge Calendar

Check out the calendar for International, National, and City-wide events. Have a neighborhood event you want to get the word out about? Please share it in the Challenge Facebook Group at Facebook.com/groups/DenverCompostChallenge.
 

Compost  Challenge Goals

✔ Increase the number of residents composting through the Denver Composts program or other options.
✔ Decrease contamination in compost (and recycling).
✔ Build community and neighborhood connections.

 

How Will We Measure Success?

✔ We’ll measure the increase in households signed up for the Denver Composts program, April to November. Check out your neighborhood standings here! 
✔ We’ll measure the increase in multi-family households and businesses composting through non-City compost collection programs, April to November. (Note: The Denver Composts program cannot provide service to businesses or multi-family buildings with more than 7-units. But, other organizations can!)
✔ Your actions! We want to see how you and your neighbors are composting! Share with the Denver Compost Challenge on social media. #DenverCompostChallenge