What if we could keep thousands of tons of food waste out of the landfill—and turn it into something useful for our community instead?

Food waste is the largest single category in Emmet County’s disposal stream, with nearly 10,000 tons generated each year. Residential households account for a significant portion of that waste, making composting, food rescue and food waste reduction important tools for creating a more sustainable local system.

Emmet County Recycling is offering the Master Composter Series as a FREE opportunity for anyone who wants to learn more about composting—from those just getting started to experienced composters ready to deepen their knowledge and share it with others. Explore the science behind successful composting while gaining practical skills you can put to work at home, in the garden and throughout your community.

Start by discovering the science of food scraps and yard waste transformed into rich, healthy compost. Learn what materials belong in a compost system, what conditions help decomposition happen, and how different methods work—including traditional backyard composting, vermicomposting, bokashi, pit and trench composting, and more.

From there, explore the bigger picture of organic material management. Learn how composting can work alongside food rescue and food waste reduction to address the amount of organic material entering the landfill. Dive into soil health, organic matter, compost use and fertility, as well as practical ways to reduce yard trimmings through grasscycling, mulching and reduced-landscaping practices.

Come ready to learn, get your hands dirty and turn your composting knowledge into action!

Join your fellow community members who support the mission to reduce waste, reuse, recycle and properly dispose of materials to preserve the natural beauty of Northern Michigan. 

The FREE classes are at the North Central Michigan College Health and Science Building, Room 333 on Tuesday starting October 13 and ending November 10.