Joining B2E
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To get started, click the button below that best fits your case:
Participation
How it works, the detailed version:
Setup
Each property is its own individual site with a complete set of equipment installed.
Residents of that property can sign up to participate there, receive training together, and work together to use and maintain it.
To start a site there must be a minimum of 5 participating households at the property.
Property managers must also agree to permitting the program, and have a suitable space to provide for its operation.
Operation
A site requires 3 types of participants: Basic, Turner, and Site Lead.
In short, basic only adds material, tuners add and periodically mix the pile, and Site Leads get extra training to balance the pile, field questions, and connect the site to the 1SJ team.
Every site needs 1 Lead and about 1 turner per 5 participants at all times.
You can check out the descriptions of each here and pick your role when you sign up.
Training, Supplies, & Support
Here is what you get from the program to make collective composting possible:
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Three compost bins, a shovel, pitchfork, hand cultivator, and scale (shared)
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A 1 gallon pail for your kitchen
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Personal training on program operation
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Support from your fellow composters
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Technical and material support from 1 Sustainable Joe for the first year of your site
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And most importantly, a significantly reduced impact through food waste diversion.
Requirements
Here is what you need to put in to maintain a successful operation for all participants:
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Sorting your food waste according to the 'Accepted materials guide'
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Adding your material using the 'Material Addition Guide'
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Working with your site lead to make sure your additions are clean and balanced
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Taking good care of the shared equipment
Summary
To help stitch the picture together, here's what being a participant looks like:
All roles: You collect your food scraps in a small 1 gallon kitchen pail by following the 'Accepted Materials List'.
When your pail is ready, you bring it to the compost bin at your property, weight it, and add it to the pile using the 'Material Addition Guide' and examples provided in the training.
Turner: You join a rotation with your fellow turners at your site. On your week, you go to each compost bin and use the provided pitchfork to mix up the contents which takes about 10-15 minutes.
Site Lead: Before you start, you'll receive a roughly 90 minute training from the 1SJ team.
When you make your additions to the pile, you check the pile balance and make any adjustments as needed. If you see regular contamination, imbalance, or other problems, you notify participants using an email list to correct the course.
During the partner period, you meet with 1SJ program staff during a monthly site visit and can ask support questions or request additional trips at any time as needed.
After the partner period support can be requested from 1SJ on a consultation basis.
The 2023/24 Pilot
Lastly, for 2023 & 2024, the City of Bloomington and Monroe County Solid Waste Management District have teamed up to fund a pilot of 6 sites in the County. This means that the costs of setup and support will be covered, but that new site setups will be selective and staggered to ensure the pilot program's success.
Alright!
Complete the form below to submit your request to participate*.
(It will automatically indicate if your property is already participating, a potential new site, or not possible)
And whether you choose to sign up or not, you can check out our impact tracking anytime through the life of the program.
*Important New-Site Considerations
In general, submitting a new-site request does not assure approval:
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Property grounds must meet program requirements
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Property management must agree to program terms
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Participant minimums must be met
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1SJ program staff must have capacity
In Addition, the following 2023/24 pilot conditions will apply:
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The number and rate of new sites launched will be intentionally limited to ensure program success. If new site requests are abundant, responses may be delayed until the pilot sites have been established.
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The number of participants at a given site may be limited if growth exceeds program capacity. If this occurs, new applicants will be informed of the hold and will be notified when sign ups can resume.