The City of Albuquerque is working towards addressing climate change, equity, resilience, and sustainability through various initiatives. However, there is still a significant amount of work to be done. One area of focus is the potential impact of widespread composting, which is highlighted in both the Food & Agriculture Action Plan and the Climate Action Plan. By implementing a citywide composting initiative, the City aims to reduce its carbon footprint, create green jobs, support local food production systems, strengthen community gardens, assist local farmers, and improve soil quality throughout agricultural lands.
To accomplish this, the City of Albuquerque will collaborate with FUSE to scale up citywide composting options. FUSE Executive Fellow Matt Gretton will conduct a comprehensive market assessment for a public-private composting program, identifying the benefits it can address and potential funding sources. He will engage in a listening tour to gather data and ideas from stakeholders, including the lone commercial composting provider, community groups, government agencies, and institutions. Building relationships with various stakeholders, Matt will develop a business case and plan for expanding composting, detailing necessary investments, involvement of public and private organizations, and expected returns. Additionally, he will explore ways to ensure economic benefits reach marginalized communities, such as through clear guidelines and policies and by identifying multiple funding sources to ensure the program’s long-term success.
