Washington, DC | bplatt@ilsr.org

Brenda Platt directs the Composting for Community Initiative at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR), where she has worked 35+ years. Her current focus is advancing distributed composting that encompasses composting at homes, community gardens, farms, and other venues. Through research, networks, and resources, ILSR is documenting the viability of community-oriented composting; meeting the need for training, guidance on best management practices, business models, model policies and programs; and highlighting the key role of local government.As part of this work, ILSR coordinates a national Community Composter Coalition, which is building the movement for local composting by connecting early adopters, spreading lessons learned, and inspiring new operations. Brenda has authored numerous reports including Stop Trashing the Climate, Growing Local Fertility: A Guide to Community Composting, and A Growing Movement: 2022 Community Composter Census, and has worked on local, state, and federal policy to support composting. Brenda is a trained composter and trains others. She is nationally known for her work documenting the jobs through reuse, recycling, and composting. In 2017, the US Composting Council awarded her its H. Clark Gregory Award for outstanding service to the composting industry through grassroots efforts. In 2022, the U.S. EPA recognized ILSR for its community composting work. Brenda has a B.S. degree in mechanical engineering from The George Washington University. She is a former chair and a current member of USCC’s Legislative & Environmental Affairs Committee and a founding member of the US Composting Infrastructure Coalition.

Workshop Time: Tuesday, Feb 6, 1:00 – 4:30

Workshop Title: Community Composting Systems: New Projects and Scaling Up Existing Projects

Workshop Description: This half-day workshop will cover composting systems for farm and community settings from DIY solar-powered systems to branded ASP systems. Small- to medium-sized equipment providers will guest speak including . Also featured will be screeners for community compost sites such as the Lower East Side Ecology Center’s new electric trommel design (in collaboration with Bruno Navarro). This workshop will be co-led by Brenda Platt and Linda Bilsens Brolis of the Institute for Local Self-Reliance with Khari Diop of Truly Living Well Center for Natural Urban Agriculture, who is based in Atlanta.