Sophia Jones
Sophia Jones
Speaker | Institute for Local Self Reliance
Washington, DC | sjones@ilsr.org
Sophia Jones, Policy and Development Associate – Sophia works on the Composting for Community team at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance (ILSR) researching, analyzing, and building local and federal US policies that advance community composting. The policy work focuses on advancing diverse and distributed approaches to composting to create jobs, enhance soils, protect the climate, and reduce waste. While working with ILSR, Sophia has conducted in-depth policy research on disposal surcharges to fund composting, organized and participated in a webinar panel on the topic, worked to draft and introduce a related bill in Maryland, and testified at the bill hearing. Sophia received her Bachelor of Arts in Environment and Development Studies from McGill University and also has an introductory certificate in Permaculture.
Session Code: B1
Track: Policy
Session Name: State and Local Policy Work
Session Time: 8:15 to 9:45 AM
Presentation Title: How State and Local Policy Funds Composting and Works Toward Zero Waste
Presentation Description: Lack of adequate funding for composting is a core reason for insufficient capacity and infrastructure. A per-ton surcharge on waste disposed is a proven funding mechanism with a track record of raising significant funds to reduce and recycle waste, as demonstrated by over 10 state and local programs. At a time when state and local policies are increasingly influential, establishing funding to support local composting projects and infrastructure is crucial. This presentation will cover how policy can support and enable local composting, with a focus on using surcharges on waste disposal as a funding mechanism for waste diversion activities like composting, including examples from my research of existing programs, some policy in the works, and a bill template that interested parties can adapt to introduce similar legislation in their state. The presentation will also cover other policies to advance composting, including new legislation to promote healthy soils.