LB Community Compost has been a community run organization since 2020.
Our current crew is run by dedicated volunteers and 1 paid employee that was made possible by a previous gr. Unfortunately, that grant ended in January and we no longer receive funds from it.
So far we have collected and processed over 181,787 pounds of food scraps. That's over 90 tons!
2020-2021: No data collected.
2022: In 312 community hours, we upcycled 54,284 pounds of food scraps back into local soil.
2023: We upcycled 62,282 pounds of foods scraps back into local soil.
2024: 65,221 pounds of food scraps were collected.
On an average weekend (Friday & Sunday) we collect and process over 1,000 pounds and receive food scraps from over 100 households.
Field Trips/Education:
This year we have hosted a variety of organizations and have offered field trips to the City of Long Beach Composter Recycler Ambassador (CRA) Program, Girl Scouts, and Radical Monarchs.
We have provided volunteer day opportunities to small school groups such as the LongFellow Green Team and also to professional work groups.
So far this year we've participated in local events that include the Office of Climate Action and Sustainability's Monarch Day of Action and City Nature Challenge, Poly High school's 4th Annual Festival of Gardening & Butterflies, Plant Swaps at LB Public Libraries, SUNSETS at LBMA, and Algalita's Ocean Action Leadership Camp Community Education Day.
Finished Compost:
Distributing over 14, 762 pounds of finished compost this year alone. We provide community made compost.
Some examples of where our compost goes to:
Willow Springs Park, home gardens, school gardens, collaborative gardens, picked up by residents participating in the city's Lawn-to-Garden program, and seed planting workshops, etc.
Partnerships:
Keeping these impactful partnerships has been instrumental in raising awareness of the benefits of community composting.
1) DTLB Farmers Market, where we collect residents' scraps every Friday.
2) Long Beach Office of Climate Action & Sustainability provides us with a central space for food scrap collections and compost processing at Willow Springs Park.
3) St. Luke's Community Garden, where our compost grows food in a garden tended to by homeless volunteers.
By donating you can help keep community composting alive here in Long Beach. Support us with some cash if you'd like that too.
Where will your $ go towards. Things we pay for + our wishlist:
- Staffing: $18,000
- General Liability & Workers Comp Insurance: $2,934
- PO Box: $150
- Tax stuff: $933.29
- Statement of Info: $10.00
- Registered Agent: $50.00
- PPE: Nitrile Gloves ( $61 12-pack), KN95 Masks ($30)
- Printing: Education materials i.e. zines, flyers, etc ($400)
- 2 Industrial Scales: $338 ($169 each)
- Snacks/food for volunteers: $1,040
- Foldable Wagon/Cart: $85. To assist those who need to haul heavy scraps from the parking lot and are unable to use a wheelbarrow. We currently have a small one, but it would be even more helpful to have a larger one.
- Paint and painting tools: $150. We need to paint our shed.
"Every time I have gone, I find a world I want to live in. It lifts my spirit to see people generously taking matters into their own hands to build community in the soil and with the people of Long Beach. This group has made space where there previously wasn't for this vital part of life. It is a labor of love that deserves financial support in whatever ways possible. Thank you for all that you do!" -Kayleigh
"I compost with LBCC because I believe enriching community is an essential Long Beach value that LBCC reenforces with absolute pride and abundance. They are a critical constant in the progressive thread of mutual aid building in this city and are able to bring together neighbors with sincere joy to boot." -Madison
"I compost with you because the location is convenient, you are kind, and I love being kind to planet earth by composting!!!" - B
"LBCC made me move to LB." -Kawt
"To my knowledge, LB Community Compost is the only place to compost food scraps in Long Beach, and I’m so grateful they exist. I’ve been dropping off food scraps at their DTLB farmers market for the last year. Their pick-up locations are still around because of its small but mighty team of dedicated volunteers who work weekly to compost food scraps for Long Beach free of charge!Without a more meaningful investment from the City of Long Beach supporting their programming, a one-day giving program like Long Beach Gives can significantly impact LB Community Compost’s ability to continue composting for the city and expand to more farmers’ markets throughout the city. So, give today to ensure more residents can keep their food scraps out of landfills!" - Alex Escobar, downtown Long Beach resident and lover of composting
Healthy soil is key to developing a healthier Long Beach. Our goal is to improve the quality of life in the city by converting residents' organic waste back into soil. To achieve this, our organization promotes and accepts weekly drop-offs, gives away finished compost, and educates community about the benefits of composting every week and at local events.
Organization name
LB Community Compost
other names
Long Beach Community Compost
Tax id (EIN)
88-1896222
Operating Budget
Small ($0 - $99,999)
Mission Category
Environment
City Council District
District 6
Address
PO Box 81Long Beach, CA, US