At the Compost Co-op, we find ways to survive difficult times by staying focused on the so-called triple bottom line — People, Planet, Profit — and by being guided by principles observed by co-ops around the world. Principle # 7, Concern for Community, is as relevant now as it’s ever been. We CAN do something! For example, we can choose to spend our earnings close to home, empowering local businesses with our active choices and participating in a circular economy.
Compost Co-op aims to increase the diversion of a precious resource — food scraps — from landfills/incinerators, make composting more accessible, and contribute to the resilience of our local food systems. We also want our workers to earn living, and even thriving, wages, and have the best possible working conditions.
Following the lead of sibling co-ops and other businesses and organizations, Compost Co-op is implementing a sliding-scale payment system for residential curbside pickups. This will allow us to keep up with inflation, keep our prices affordable, and also encourage customers who are able to, to join our efforts to make composting accessible for all.
For some context, a living wage for a single adult living with one child in Franklin County is $45.36 per hour, according to scholars at MIT. That’s just covering the basics.
As a co-op, we are committed to paying workers thriving wages — what we need to get by, to prepare for the future, deal with emergencies, and thrive. First, though, we need to get to that living wage for starting workers ($23.62 for a single adult with no dependents).
We ask our customers to decide what you can afford to help us get there. Here are some guidelines.
- Do you have a high income (over 100K per year), intergenerational wealth, extra funds after you pay your bills — or would you like to support your community addressing the climate crisis and paying workers fairly? If your circumstances fit one or more of these categories, please consider choosing a higher tier.
- Are you facing hardship, student loan payments, or supporting a loved one?
- Are you on a limited income and really want to divert your compostables?
Only you know the reality of your household. Working together we can save the valuable resource of food scraps from the landfill and turn it into soil-enriching compost.
Only you know if you are a
- Waste Warrior: you support our mission and help us expand our environmental impact; we pay thriving wages
- Guerilla Gardener: you support our mission; we pay thriving wages
- Diligent Diverter: you support our mission; we pay living wages
- Soil Sibling: you support our mission; we cover our costs
- Courageous Composter: you support our mission at a rate you can afford
Having trouble deciding? Want to hear more about this approach? We’d be glad to discuss with you! info@thecompostcooperative.com (413) 376-8776
