In celebration of Earth Day on April 22nd, I am writing to share my experience with the City of Newport’s curbside composting program and to highlight the many benefits it brings to our community.
Through a partnership with 11th Hour Racing and Eastern Rhode Island Conservation District, the City of Newport is offering residents a FREE curbside food scrap collection pilot program through September 2027. At no cost, households can sign up for weekly pickup of all your food scraps – making participation both easy and accessible.
Composting is one of the simplest and most effective ways residents can reduce waste and make a meaningful environmental impact. Food scraps and organic materials make up a significant portion of household trash. When sent to landfills, these materials decompose without oxygen and produce methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. By diverting this waste into a composting program, Newport is taking a practical and responsible step toward reducing emissions and improving sustainability.
The program also delivers real financial benefits. The City is charged with disposal of waste based on the weight of trash sent to the landfill. By reducing the amount of waste, we can lower disposal costs – saving taxpayer dollars.
Beyond environmental and fiscal advantages, composting strengthens our local economy and community resilience. Finished compost enriches soil, supports local agriculture, and reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers. For a coastal community like ours, healthy soil contributes to everything from home gardening to preserving green spaces and protecting our natural resources.
By making composting convenient and encouraging participation, the City is empowering residents to be part of a shared solution. Small, everyday actions—like separating food scraps—can collectively make a significant difference.
The free curbside composting pilot is currently available to 1,500 Newport households, and hundreds of residents have already signed up to support this effort.
To learn more, visit the City’s website at:
https://www.newportri.gov/news/archives/newport-launches-free-curbside-food-scrap-composti
Or to sign up, visit the Black Earth Compost website at:
https://blackearthcompost.com/newport
Steph Smyth
Newport City Council
