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Boston Compost Certification Program

Do you want to keep food out of the trash and live more sustainably? Join the Boston Compost Certification Program to learn the "hows" and "whys" of composting in Boston.

  • Have questions? Contact 311:

  • Location

    1 CITY HALL SQUARE 

    ROOM 714

    BOSTON, MA 02201-2024

Program Overview

The City of Boston is partnering with:

  • Mass Audubon
  • Save that Stuff
  • Urban Farming Institute
  • Boston Food Forest Coalition

There will be two separate 4-week sessions on Saturdays over the course of March, April, and June. 

Participants will learn about the impact of food waste on the environment and its connection to climate change. Each module will include practical knowledge, hands-on activities, and guest speakers.

The program will help Boston residents become experts on all things compost, and feel empowered to act in their neighborhoods to encourage others to compost and educate them on best practices. 

We will provide materials and tools for participants as well as opportunities to support community composting projects through optional volunteer events. Join us for the second season of an exciting and rewarding program- where you’ll become a compost champion for the City of Boston!

Every participant will receive a special gift bag to get started on their compost journey.

Session 1: 3/25 (10:30-12), 4/1 (10-12), 4/8 (10-12), 4/15 (10-11:30)

Session 2: 5/20 (10:30-12), 6/3 (10-12), 6/10 (10-12), 6/17 (10-11:30)

Boston Compost Certification Enrollment Form

Contact: Public Works

Course Session Overview

Course Sessions
Contact: Public Works
  • Location: Urban Farming Institute
  • Guest Speakers: Urban Farming Institute Farm Staff
  • Learn the benefits of different types of composting systems including aerated windrows, aerated static, and in-vessel, and how to set composts suitable for apartments, houses, community gardens, and farms.
  • Location: Boston Nature Center 
  • Guest Speaker: Boston Food Forest Coalition Food Forest Builder Shannon Borucke and the BNC Stewardship Team
  • Create a Hugelkultur bed and learn how to use your compost to enrich your flower or vegetable garden.
  • Location: Boston Nature Center 
  • Guest Speaker: Mass Audubon Teacher/Naturalist Talibah Kennedy
  • Explore the living and non-living components of healthy soil and learn about the important role soil plays as a carbon sink in the fight against climate change.
  • Location: Boston Nature Center 
  • Guest Speaker: Save That Stuff Management Team
  • Discuss large scale composting and its challenges and successes. Learn how it can be used to mitigate the effects of climate change
  • Have questions? Contact 311:

  • Location

    1 CITY HALL SQUARE 

    ROOM 714

    BOSTON, MA 02201-2024

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