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Composting is back in eastern Mass., Boston may be next

Sarah Birkeland and her daughter, Abby Edelstein, 5, mix waste food into their back yard compost pile in Newton. The Boston Globe

In Boston, Somerville, and Cambridge, composting is growing in popularity, with pilot programs popping up and services for composters aiding in the process. Still, the environmentally friendly practice is far from universally popular with residents, according to The Boston Globe.

Meant as a way to keep waste from landfills while producing nutrient-rich soil, composting has become part of an effort by some residents to be more conscientious of where food and waste originate and end up.

The state has tried to keep up, as it recently made rules that prohibit large businesses from disposing of food waste in certain ways.

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As noble as composting enthusiasts’ aims may be, some residents see the practice as a chore, a mess, and a destination for pests.

“It’s kind of like a cult following,’’ said Daniel Nee, the city’s compost facilitator. “You have to be dedicated.’’

Beyond residents and the state, Harvard University’s freshman dorm digs now include compost buckets alongside the standard trash and recycling bags.

Read the full story at The Globe.

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