The Compost Crew is a wonderful option for green-minded residents who understand the value of composting but don't have the time, energy, and/ or adequate space to do it on their own.  The founders, Brian Flores and Ryan Walter, grew up in the area and attended Pyle and Whitman (readers may be familiar with Cece Flores, a long-time and well-loved teacher at Cabin John's very own Clara Barton Center for Children.  Brian is her son).  These enterprising young men decided to create a green business that jives with their hope for a sustainable future.  Since inception, The Compost Crew has grown from diverting a few hundred pounds a month of residential food waste from landfills to now diverting over 8000 pounds a month.

How does The Compost Crew work?  Participants sign up with them and are given a 5-gallon airtight, odor-proof bin with a twist-off top, compostable liners, and instructions on what can be composted.  Even the bins themselves are green, as they are recycled from a local pickle vendor.  Acceptable items include all foods scraps except meat and dairy products.  Participants leave their bins curbside once a week and The Compost Crew comes and empties and cleans the bins at each visit.  If desired, after 6 months, a portion of the waste is returned to the customer in the form of nitrogen-rich, high-grade compost for use in their gardens.   The Compost Crew works in partnership with growingSOUL, a non-profit farm that strives for a zero-waste food system.   GrowingSOUL composts all the waste for The Compost Crew.

The cost per household for The Compost Crew's services is, at the moment, roughly $36 per month.  Participants that pay for a full year get one month free. Some of you may say, "But it is free to dump it in my trash right now!"  The economy is tough and many of us are feeling the pinch.  That said, if you have any wiggle room, this is a great way to participate in positive change, reduce the waste stream and greenhouse gas emissions, and also receive top-quality compost back in return.  If there are enough participating residents, Cabin John can become a pilot project.  This will provide a much-needed impetus for the Montgomery County Division of Solid Waste Services to seriously consider adding food waste to our curbside recycling program.  Are you a gardener?  Are you concerned about sustainability?  Do you believe in supporting local start-up businesses with a good cause?  Have you been wanting to compost but either don't have the space or time?  Americans are only composting 3% of their food waste.  Why be a part of this problem?  Reduce your solid waste stream by roughly one-third by composting it. 

The Compost Crew recently received recognition from Bethesda Magazine and Bethesda Green for their sustainability efforts.  As well, they have recently been featured in the Bethesda Gazette, Walt Whitman High School's Black & White newspaper, and in a video produced by Cable County Montgomery. They have contracts with a growing number of Montgomery County and northwest DC residents and are in the process of negotiating with the communities of Somerset, Green Acres, and Takoma Park to develop pilot programs.  Why not Cabin John as well?  If you are interested in participating, email Green Neighbors or go to The Compost Crew's website or call them at 301-202-4450.