SW-3Food Composting Pilot Programs

The City of Carmel has partnered with Earth Mama Composting to entitle Carmel residents to a $5 monthly discount on Earth Mama’s standard residential subscription fee of $20 per month. Through this partnership, the City will help lower financial barriers for households interested in composting while supporting a reputable local provider already operating in our region. Food waste represents a significant portion of Carmel’s solid-waste stream and contributes to rising landfill costs and greenhouse-gas emissions. Increasing access to curbside composting aligns with Carmel’s sustainability initiatives and our Climate Action Plan commitments. We know from previous community engagement that residents are interested in composting, but cost remains a key obstacle. A small monthly discount has the potential to meaningfully increase participation. How the Partnership Would Work • Earth Mama would provide Carmel residents with composting materials, education on composting, pickup of food waste, compost processing, and customer service. • Carmel residents who enroll would automatically receive a $5 per-month discount (this would include the approximate 100 residents who already subscribe to Earth Mama’s services). • The City would develop marketing material to ensure residents are aware of the program and understand how to participate. • Metrics such as subscriber counts and pounds of organic waste diverted would be provided to the Climate Action Plan Advisory Committee annually. Program Benefits • Reduces the volume of organic material entering landfills. • Lowers methane emissions and supports Carmel’s Climate Action Plan goals. • Provides residents with a simple, convenient way to adopt more sustainable practices. • Strengthens public–private collaboration with minimal administrative burden to the City.