UF/IFAS Scientists Join Together To Promote Compost Standards, Practices in Florida

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) is seeking alternatives to encourage Floridians to compost common waste like food items, grass clippings, and more. This effort, aimed at reducing demand on landfills, will see UF/IFAS personnel partner with industry professionals and organizations to minimize environmental impact and encourage economic development.

To support this effort, the UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center will host the first UF/IFAS Research Compost Consortium Conference from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. This free event will collaborate with the Florida Composting Council to explore economic, policy and environmental research needs for compost among Florida’s city, county and state decision makers.

Mica McMillan, assistant professor at the UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center, hopes to see efforts like this make composting commonplace and usher in sustainable policies.

“We cannot move forward and make compost commonplace and a resource rather than just another alternative unless we work as one entity,” McMillan said. “By working together, we are stronger, and we can accomplish so much more for Florida, our communities and our environment making us globally competitive.”

Organic materials like food, wood, paper, cardboard, and yard trimmings make up 51.4% of municipal solid waste in landfills. By fostering community-driven participation, UF/IFAS hopes to make composting and sustainable waste initiatives commonplace throughout the state.

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