All About Composting, A Bigelow Tea Priority

Have you ever wondered what composting is and why it is so important to Bigelow Tea and the environment overall?

Let’s take a look!

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic waste into a nutrient-rich material that is friendly to the environment and allows for healthier soil which supports improved food growing. While most people don’t really think about what happens to the food they put in the trash—it is organic and it will biodegrade! The landfill environment isn't made to break waste down. Instead, landfills give food scraps a place to sit and release gasses that harm the planet over countless of years, contributing to global warming.

At Bigelow Tea, along with our tea family (you!), prioritize our commitment to the environment and with that, we would like to share more about this fascinating world of composting and how it can make a positive impact on the planet for all of us.

The Importance of Composting

Why should we compost instead of disposing of waste via landfill? The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more food reaches landfills and incinerators than any other single material, making up 30% of our waste stream. That is a lot of food potential that could enter back into the organic ecosystem!

When food is thrown in the trash, it does not biodegrade as we would like to think. Instead, it releases harmful gasses that contribute to global warming. Not to mention that wasted food was created with water, energy, labor, land, and fertilizers used in the growth and distribution process. If not handled carefully, these leftovers can add billions of tons of greenhouse gas emissions to the atmosphere. Reducing food waste is one of the most impactful ways that we can help fight climate change.

Composting Education

Compost Research & Education Foundation, an organization we respect who sponsors International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), works to raise public awareness of why we should compost our organics where community, school, government, and businesses come together to encourage and celebrate composting - all types of composting – from backyard to large-scale. This organization has recently brought attention to the serious worldwide issue that every nation experiences: hunger. By recycling organics into compost and using it on our farmlands, we cultivate soil that produces an abundance of healthier food. Stronger soil foundations reduce the use of fertilizer and pesticides, conserves water by increasing quality, while storing carbon in the soil – all factors that help to reduce climate change. Composting education is important because the more we all know, the better! 

Composting at Bigelow Tea

Bigelow Tea, a company committed to sustainable practices, has been composting since 2012 and maintains Zero Waste to Landfill facilities, where 90% of waste is diverted away from a landfill . Methods of redirecting waste can include reusing, recycling, composting anaerobic digestion, and converting waste to animal feed.

Bigelow Tea diverts waste from landfills by:

• Composting tea and tea dust with local composters
• Training employees to maintain clean waste streams through recycling and composting in the cafeteria and the breakrooms
• Exploring compostable and recyclable materials in the product design process while simultaneously keeping in mind product quality
• Using tea bags that are compostable

Bigelow Tea's Fairfield Green Team works with a local non-profit People 1st, to learn more about the impact that composting can have on one's community. People 1st collects food waste to convert it into compost, which is used to support its vertical farm structure. The partnership is testing processes to ensure they can meet a third goal, which is to provide access to fresh produce for community members in Bridgeport who experience food insecurity or lack of accessible food options.

Composting is a small step we can all take towards a greener planet. In addition to reducing food waste in landfills, there are many incredible benefits, including healthier crops, as well as enhanced soil nutrition. Please join Bigelow Tea and start composting today! Remember, every little bit helps.