Neighborhood Attitudes Toward Community Composting: Case of Knoxville, Tennessee

In the spring of 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic created interest in home gardening as well as shortages in the availability of bulk and bagged compost at local garden centers and bagged compost at national retailers. Because of this shortage, several community groups organized four sites throughout the city of Knoxville, Tennessee, where residents could pick up compost at no cost. To assess the feasibility of long-term plans for community composting, a survey was conducted to determine community views on local composting. This report reviews the results of the survey sent out to neighborhood residents in Knoxville, Tennessee, between September 13, 2020, and November 3, 2020. The survey was solicited through text messages (from those who provided a phone number when they picked up compost) and the City of Knoxville Neighborhood Newsletter, asking for their views on community composting. Survey results indicate: • Most all respondents are supportive of having community compost in their neighborhoods. • Most all are willing to save home food scraps for community composting (94%). • Most would prefer the composting site to be within 1 mile (93%). • Respondents have a high willingness to volunteer at a community composting operation (78%). • 29% of respondents are willing to pay for food scrap pickup, with an average amount willing to pay $6.60 per week. • A majority of respondents would like to deliver food scraps to community composting themselves (53%). • Most would be willing to pay $2-$5 per 5-gallon bucket of finished compost. In evaluating the compost giveaway in the spring of 2020, the survey indicated: • Most participants traveled 1 to 5 miles to pick up compost (56%). • Most participants using compost were experienced gardeners and would have gardened regardless of the availability of the free compost.