A family from Orange, New Jersey, has embraced the practice of composting for the betterment of their community. Before becoming a charter school teacher, Java was amazed when his school began composting school lunches. Inspired by a cafeteria assistant who collected kitchen scraps and turned them into compost for the garden, Java saw the potential of this sustainable practice.
One evening, after watching the movie Dirt! The Movie and an episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show, the idea of starting a composting initiative took root. Java explains, “I like to eat, and I like to eat good, flavorful food. The flavor in food comes from nutrients, and nutrients come from healthy soil.”
Java’s wife, however, was initially hesitant. “I’m a born-and-bred New Yorker who escaped city life for suburbia after rats infiltrated our Lower East Side neighborhood as if they owned it,” she shared despite his husband’s motivation of encouraging his wife about the wonder of composting she refused to learn more about benefits from it. Despite learning from Java about how food scraps can start to break down into soil, Java’s wife was astounded by how materials such as bananas can turn into a renewable resource for the planet.
A common misconception about composting is that it attracts pests and creates a buffet for unwanted critters. Before starting his company, Java faced resistance from his wife, Michelle, who refused to try composting. On the Java’s Compost website, Michelle recalls, “I knew he understood how to do it. He had successfully managed the three-bin compost system at a charter school in Newark for over a year. But I just couldn’t see why anyone would want to recycle their food scraps. I mean, it was just trash. Wasn’t it?” Over time, however, Michelle learned about composting’s ability to sequester carbon in soil, manage storm water, prevent erosion, and reduce methane emissions by diverting food waste from landfills.
Composting begins with simple items like eggshells, paper, or food scraps. As the materials decay, worms, bacteria, mites, and other organisms break them down. These creatures consume the scraps, produce waste, and generate heat in the process. As the temperature drops, some organisms die, eventually becoming part of the enriched soil. This decomposition process creates a nutrient-rich fertilizer that can be added to soil to help plants thrive.
Java’s Compost collaborates with businesses, residential properties, and municipalities to promote composting initiatives. These partnerships aim to enhance the effectiveness of their sustainability efforts. Java is committed to reducing landfill waste through community engagement and collaboration, with a focus on promoting composting in schools and other institutions. The founders of Java’s Compost are active members of the US Composting Council (USCC) and the New Jersey Composting Council (NJCC). Java has also earned a certificate from The 131° School of Composting.
This journey led Java and his family to develop their own composting company. Their efforts inspire others to adopt sustainable habits, highlighting the importance of community involvement in environmental initiatives. The New Jersey government emphasizes the protection of public health and the environment, noting that over 22 percent of waste is disposed of in landfills. through its initiatives.
The company works with a range of businesses, residential properties, and municipalities to promote composting. By engaging with these groups, Java’s Compost enhances the effectiveness of its sustainability efforts. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future through collaboration and community engagement. These partnerships are essential for reducing landfill waste and fostering a community-focused approach to environmental responsibility. Their outreach efforts raise awareness and promote environmentally friendly practices, particularly among younger generations. Through their initiatives, Java’s Compost not only reduces waste but also inspires schools and local communities to adopt eco-friendly practices, ensuring a greater impact on the environment and a vision of a better future.
