Proclaiming May 3-9, 2026, to Be "Composting Awareness Week" in the State of Rhode Island

WHEREAS, Each year, Composting Awareness Week is celebrated nationwide during the first full week of May with the goal of raising public awareness of the environmental, economic, and societal benefits of composting; and

WHEREAS, Compost is a mixture of organic materials such as yard trimmings, vegetable and fruit peels and scraps, other food waste, flowers, eggshells, paper products, nutshells, sawdust, wood chips, biosolids, manure, hay shavings, and leaves. These materials are rich in moisture and nutrients, and when added to the soil in gardens, farms, and landscapes, they enhance plant growth, soil structure and overall ecosystem health; and

WHEREAS, By retaining and transferring moisture through the soil to plants, composting minimizes the need for irrigation, reduces water usage by up to 30 percent, conserves water during droughts, and prevents flooding by retaining water that would otherwise enter drains and sewers; and

WHEREAS, Rich in both nutrients and beneficial organisms, compost supports plant health and growth, soil biodiversity, as well as organisms such as worms, centipedes, spiders, beetles, and fungal mycelium. This minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, thereby reducing soil and water pollution; and

WHEREAS, Composting reduces waste by reusing and recycling organic materials, which make up approximately 30 percent of all materials sent to landfills, and can help communities that implement composting programs to efficiently divert waste from landfills and promote more sustainable practices; and

WHEREAS, The beneficial organisms and microbes in compost also sequester and retain carbon in the soil, helping to prevent carbon dioxide, methane, and other greenhouse gases, from being released into the atmosphere in large amounts due to decomposing waste in landfills; and

WHEREAS, Incorporating compost into certain public works projects, such as the construction and improvement of parks, trails, highways, and green spaces, can lead to large-scale reductions in pollution, help to prevent climate change, and lead to the creation of green jobs; now, therefore be it

RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby proclaims May 3-9, 2026 to be "Composting Awareness Week" and respectfully urges the Governor and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to observe the week with appropriate activities and programs. We, moreover, encourage all Rhode Islanders to start composting and help build a healthier, more sustainable environment for all; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to transmit duly certified copies of this resolution to the Honorable Daniel McKee, Governor of the State of Rhode Island, and Terrence Gray, Director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management.