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Energy commission chair urges families to join Newport composting pilot
Summary
Emily Conklin, chair of the Newport Energy and Environment Commission, asked the school committee to encourage parents to sign up for a two‑year, grant‑funded curbside compost pilot (Black Earth/11th Hour), which has room for roughly 600 more families in Newport.
Emily Conklin of Newport identified herself during public comment and urged the committee to support outreach around a city composting pilot ahead of Earth Day. "We have a grant for 2 years of free curbside compost pick up from 11th Hour," Conklin said, noting the pilot can serve up to 1,500 families and currently has about 930 enrolled.
Conklin asked that school leaders and teachers encourage parents to participate and offered to share materials with the committee and school staff. She emphasized the program’s local environmental benefit, saying diverting compostable material (roughly 30% of household waste, she noted) would help extend the life of the state’s central landfill and reduce district landfill fees.
How to sign up and next steps Conklin provided the sign‑up link (blackearthcompost.com/newport) and said she would be available after the meeting to answer questions and share outreach materials for families.
The committee did not take formal action on the request during the meeting but members acknowledged the program and the timing before Earth Day.
