Page 12 - MayJune2026 Vol 44 No 1

KNOXVILLE By Quineka Moten
From Waste To Resources

How Backyard Composting
Workshops Are Growing
Community Sustainability

Since 2023, the City of Knoxville’s
Waste & Resources Department has
hosted nine Backyard Composting
Workshops, empowering 270 households
to confidently compost at home. What
started as an educational opportunity
has quickly become a highly sought after
community program—so popular, in fact,
that registration routinely fills up in under
ten minutes. locations, including local nonprofits,
Each workshop equips residents with farms, and community gathering
more than just knowledge. Attendees spaces. While municipal facilities could
receive a free backyard composter and a accommodate the program, collaborating
countertop food scrap container, ensuring with community partners helps reach a
they leave prepared to immediately broader audience and places composting
put what they’ve learned into practice. education in more approachable,
With thoughtful planning and strategic neighborhood centered settings.
partnerships, Knoxville has created a The City also works with Recycling
replicable model that other municipalities Connections, a Wisconsin-based
can easily adapt. nonprofit, which supplies the composters
Why Host Composting Workshops? distributed at each event. Through their
Backyard composting offers a practical group compost bin purchase program,
way to transform yard waste and food municipalities can buy composters in bulk
scraps into a valuable, nutrient-rich soil at reduced cost. Knoxville’s composters
amendment. Compost improves soil arrive unassembled on pallets, requiring
health by attracting beneficial organisms, coordination. It typically takes a box truck
reducing the need for chemical fertilizers and a few volunteers to transport and
and pesticides, improving soil structure, distribute the composters to participants.
and helping prevent erosion. Registration and Outreach levels—from first-time composters to
From a municipal perspective, Workshop registration is managed seasoned gardeners seeking expert insight
composting saves money and landfill space through Eventbrite, allowing for easy and troubleshooting advice.
by diverting easily degradable materials signups and streamlined communication. Supporting Long-Term Success
from disposal. For residents, it closes the Knoxville takes registration one step Knoxville emphasizes ongoing support
loop, turning “waste” into a resource that further by using a consistent, reusable beyond the workshop itself. Participants
benefits gardens, landscapes, and local custom URL for each workshop. receive easy-to-follow handouts
ecosystems. Announcements are shared on the City’s summarizing backyard composting
Strong Partnerships Make It Work website and social media platforms, along basics. They also are encouraged to take
Knoxville partners with Green Heron with postings from community partners notes during the session. Additionally,
Compost Services, a local compost hauler, such as environmental organizations, the City partners with the Knox County
to lead the instructional portion of each educational groups, and local social clubs. Master Gardener Program to provide a
workshop. In a one-hour session, attendees The workshops are popular. To manage compost “hotline,” allowing residents to
learn the science behind composting, how demand, the City announces workshop seek advice and troubleshooting support
to start a system in their own backyard, dates about one week before registration as questions arise.
and how to troubleshoot common opens. Each session accommodates at least To continually improve the program,
challenges such as odors, pests, or slow 30 households, with participants welcome a follow-up survey is sent to participants
decomposition. A robust Q & A segment to bring additional family members. While after each workshop. Feedback gathered
ensures participants feel confident and each household receives one composter through these surveys helps ensure the
ready to immediately compost. and one food scrap container, attendees workshops remain helpful, accessible, and
Workshops are hosted at a variety of represent a wide range of experience responsive to community needs.

12 TPW May/June 2026