To the editor:
Massachusetts is running out of landfill space. To address this, the Department of Environmental Protection has set a goal to reduce waste by 30% by 2030. Expanding composting programs is one of the most effective ways to meet this target. In fact, by 2030, waste bans are expected to include organic material- making community education and early adoption essential.
Composting diverts food waste from landfills, reduces pests like rats, and returns valuable nutrients to the soil. That’s why the launch of Lynn’s new Community Compost Pilot Program, a partnership between the City of Lynn, Big Belly, and Black Earth Compost, is an important step. Drop-off sites are currently located at Manning Field (Ford Street entrance) and the Department of Public Works (250 Commercial St.).
However, access alone isn’t enough. For this program to succeed, it needs planning, outreach, and education. Lynn should form a Solid Waste Advisory Committee to guide and support waste diversion initiatives. Partnering with local schools, youth programs, and farms would also strengthen public engagement.
Additionally, the city should evaluate whether these drop-off locations are truly convenient, and whether launching such a program right before winter was ideal.
With the right leadership, Lynn can become a model for waste reduction.
Eliot Evan Smith
Lynn
