Program on the Environment

Composting is a powerful waste-reduction practice that can benefit local ecosystems, agriculture, and economies. The U.S. Forest Service does not currently have a composting option at wildland fire camps, consequently sending hundreds of thousands of pounds of food waste to landfills every season. The purpose of this study was to identify and overcome barriers to composting at U.S. Forest Service wildland fire camps through interviews, conversations, and strategic planning. After consulting key stakeholders, real and perceived barriers were identified: potential health risks, threats to efficiency, lack of composting facilities, and contracting complications. One solution to overcome these barriers is to create a composting framework which mitigates real barriers and dismisses perceived ones. By communicating the framework in a clear and professional manner, contracting complications may also be avoided. This framework will have the potential to reduce strain on local municipalities and benefit local agriculture, as well as improve sustainability’s standing in the emergency response conversation.