TRACK: Teaching Resilience and Community Knowledge through Neighborhood Compost Systems
- Michael Daniels
- Jun 28
- 6 min read
I. Project SummaryThe TRACK initiative is a community-centered, scalable composting and environmental resilience program designed to reduce landfill waste, revitalize local ecosystems, and improve public health in the Autumn Ridge neighborhood and beyond. By piloting decentralized compost and biochar production systems—including household worm bins, community biochar kilns, and institutional-scale expansion—TRACK empowers residents to become environmental stewards and emergency-ready leaders. This proposal outlines a phased implementation approach, multiple budget tiers, and robust community engagement to ensure long-term impact and replicability.
II. Statement of NeedOrganic waste comprises approximately 30–40% of municipal solid waste (EPA, 2023), much of which ends up in landfills, contributing to methane emissions and unnecessary public expenditure. Communities like Autumn Ridge lack localized compost systems that could transform this waste into a valuable resource. Simultaneously, public demand for green spaces, local food, and climate resilience is growing, especially in light of rising climate-related weather events. TRACK responds to this need with a neighborhood-driven solution rooted in education, ecological renewal, and scalable design.
III. Goals and ObjectivesGoal 1: Reduce household organic waste and landfill dependency.
Objective 1.1: Deploy compost bins and collection buckets to at least 100 households.
Objective 1.2: Divert 5,000+ pounds of organic waste from landfill over 12 months.
Goal 2: Improve environmental health through compost and native plant restoration.
Objective 2.1: Install biochar systems and convert at least 0.5 acres to pollinator meadows or edible gardens.
Objective 2.2: Apply compost and aerated leachate to support plant and soil restoration.
Goal 3: Promote resilience education and local leadership.
Objective 3.1: Publish four quarterly newsletters featuring youth journalism and disaster readiness training.
Objective 3.2: Engage 25+ residents in compost education, worm bin care, and emergency preparedness workshops.
IV. Methodology and Implementation PlanTRACK will be implemented in four phases:
Household Pilots: Salvaged and DIY worm bins and compost systems at 5–10 homes.
Micro-Site Scaling: Setup replicated at family and friend locations with modest infrastructure support.
Neighborhood Deployment: Food scrap drop buckets, scheduled pickups, and installation of a shared biochar kiln.
Institutional Partnership Expansion: Collaborate with The Brook Hospital to co-manage a regional compost site with greenhouses, CSA programming, and HIIVE pollinator hives.
Leachate collected from worm bins will be aerated using a low-energy pump system, enabling safe and direct foliar or soil application.
V. Education and Community EngagementTRACK will establish a quarterly neighborhood newsletter that:
Shares composting progress and CSA yields
Disseminates HOA announcements
Features young adult contributors
Provides disaster resilience guidance and neighborhood updates
Workshops and demo days will be hosted to build local capacity and ensure program continuity across leadership transitions.
VI. Evaluation PlanKey indicators:
Pounds of organic waste diverted
Volume of compost and biochar produced
Number of active participants and volunteers
Area of green space restored
Surveyed improvement in resident knowledge and preparedness
Engagement metrics from newsletters and workshops
Quarterly reports and pre/post program surveys will be used to assess outcomes and adjust operations.
VII. Budget Justification
Tier | Description | Total |
A. Skinny MVP (5–10 homes) | DIY bins, worms, buckets, small kiln | $800 |
B. Mid-Range Subdivision Rollout | Upcycled bins, Ring of Fire kiln, trailer | $8,830 |
C. Full Vision (CSA + Hospital Site) | Compost site, hoop houses, HIIVE, youth employment | $65,360 |
Further savings expected from material reuse, in-kind labor, and partnerships with local farms and public agencies.
VIII. SustainabilityThe TRACK model emphasizes modular, low-cost scaling, allowing communities to grow based on available resources. The integration of household systems ensures that localized composting continues even during upgrades or disruptions at larger sites. Institutional partnerships and CSA revenue streams will support long-term maintenance. Additionally, the educational component fosters a culture of stewardship that will extend beyond the duration of the grant.
IX. References
Harp, J., & Dietrich, D. (2024). Household food waste behaviors of participants in a municipal compost program. Journal of Agriculture, Food Systems, and Community Development, 13(2).
Institute for Local Self-Reliance. (2013). Composting and community resilience. https://ilsr.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Composting-Community-Resilience.pdf
Kondo, M. C., et al. (2018). Urban green space and its impact on human health. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(3), 445.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2023). Community composting and waste reduction. https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/community-composting
World Health Organization. (2016). Urban green spaces and health: A review of evidence.
TRACK Supplemental Materials: Resident and Community Guide to Composting, Biochar, Leachate, and Infrastructure
Section 1: Composting Strategies for Residents
A. Household Compost Options:
Worm Bins (Vermicomposting):
Use a bin with drainage, bedding (shredded newspaper or leaves), red wiggler worms, and food scraps.
Maintain moisture (like a wrung-out sponge) and bury food weekly.
Backyard Static Pile:
Layer greens (vegetable scraps, coffee grounds) and browns (leaves, cardboard) in a 2:1 ratio.
Turn the pile every 1–2 weeks.
Tumbler or Bin System:
Enclosed systems with turning mechanisms to speed up decomposition.
B. Do’s and Don’ts:
Do Compost: Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, paper, leaves, lawn clippings.
Do NOT Compost: Meat, dairy, fats, pet waste, treated wood, glossy paper.
Section 2: Role of Biochar
A. What is Biochar?Biochar is a charcoal-like substance made by burning organic material (brush, sticks, crop residue) in a low-oxygen environment (pyrolysis).
B. Benefits in Compost:
Absorbs nutrients and moisture.
Reduces odors and GHG emissions.
Enhances microbial growth in compost and soil.
C. How to Use:
Mix 5–10% biochar by volume into compost piles.
Pre-charge with compost tea, urine, or diluted leachate for better activation.
D. Production Options:
Small home kilns for individual yards.
Ring of Fire kilns or CharBoss for community-scale production.
Section 3: What is Leachate?
A. Definition:Leachate is the liquid runoff produced from decomposing organic matter.
B. Safe Use via Aeration:
Leachate collected from bins can harbor pathogens.
Aerate with an aquarium pump for 24 hours to create aerobic leachate.
Can then be safely used as a liquid fertilizer for plants (soil application only).
C. Collection Methods:
Use bins with false bottoms, gravel drains, and collection jugs.
Add a valve at the bottom of elevated bins.
Section 4: Infrastructure Build Guide
A. Resident-Level Setup (Skinny MVP):
Pallet or wood scrap bin (3'x3'x3')
Worm bin (tote with holes and drain)
Small biochar kiln ($200 model)
Leachate jug (with screen or spigot)
Buckets with lids for food scraps (2 per household)
B. Community-Level Setup:
Upcycled agricultural bins or 3-bin systems
Ring of Fire biochar kiln (mid-sized, $2,000)
Utility trailer for collection
CSA hoop houses (optional expansion)
HIIVE hives for pollinators
Drainage and aeration infrastructure for compost and leachate
C. Siting Considerations:
Access to water and shade.
50–100 ft. from homes.
Signage for education and safety.
Section 5: Detailed Budget Appendix
Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Total |
Pallet compost bins (DIY or salvaged) | $0 | 5–10 | $0 |
Red wiggler worms (starter kits) | $25–30 | 5 | $150 |
Small home biochar kiln | $200 | 1 | $200 |
Drop-off food scrap buckets w/ lids | $5 | 20 | $100 |
Tote-based worm bins with drainage | $25 | 5 | $125 |
Aeration system for leachate | $40 | 1 | $40 |
Ring of Fire biochar kiln | $2,000 | 1 | $2,000 |
Utility trailer for material transport | $1,500 | 1 | $1,500 |
Educational signage and print materials | $500 | Lump sum | $500 |
Web hosting, QR codes, and TRACK branding | $300 | 1 year | $300 |
Fuel and maintenance for pickup runs | $100/month | 6 months | $600 |
Volunteer stipends / community workshop support | $500 | Lump sum | $500 |
Subtotal: Neighborhood Program | $6,015 |
Expanded Budget: CSA and CharBoss Operation
Item | Unit Cost | Quantity | Total |
CharBoss biochar kiln (large-scale) | $170,000 | 1 | $170,000 |
Skid steer rental or purchase | $15,000 | 1 | $15,000 |
Trailer for CharBoss transport | $3,000 | 1 | $3,000 |
Industrial compost bins (metal or HDPE) | $500 | 10 | $5,000 |
Staff time (2 part-time for 6 months) | $8,000 | Lump sum | $8,000 |
Hoop house construction | $5,000 | 2 | $10,000 |
Irrigation, soil amendments, and seeds | $2,000 | Lump sum | $2,000 |
Tools, carts, harvest containers | $1,200 | Lump sum | $1,200 |
CSA operations and outreach | $1,500 | Lump sum | $1,500 |
Website/ordering system for CSA | $1,000 | Lump sum | $1,000 |
Youth stipends and volunteer management | $2,400 | Lump sum | $2,400 |
Subtotal: CSA and CharBoss System | $219,100 |
Total Combined Project Estimate: $225,115
Section 6: Contact and Community Resources
For workshops and newsletter sign-up: [TRACK website/email/QR code]
Volunteer coordination: [Program Coordinator Name and Contact]
In-kind donations or site sponsorships welcomed.
Together, we turn waste into wellness. TRACK is not just a composting program—it's a neighborhood-wide engine for ecological renewal and community strength.
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