Waste Reduction & Diversion |
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Our GoalWe are committed to promoting a zero-waste mindset and reducing the amount of solid waste reaching our county landfill. We achieve that through educational campaigns and community and municipal partnerships that promote recycling, composting, and waste reduction. Those of us who've have been around a while remember the 3 Rs -- Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
More recently, these concepts have been expanded to envision a circular economy where products and materials are kept in circulation through maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting so that they never become waste and nature is regenerated. The journey is long, but every step along the way benefits our environment (less air, soil, and water pollution) and our economy (less taxpayer expense for landfill expansion). |
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Community Composting
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Among the greenhouse gases that cause climate change, carbon dioxide (CO2) gets most of the attention, but methane (CH4) actually has a greenhouse effect ~86 times greater than CO2 for the first 20 years it's in the atmosphere. Organic waste is the world’s third-largest source of human-caused methane emissions, accounting for 20% of the global total with the majority stemming from solid waste decaying in dumpsites and landfills.
Much of this organic matter comes in the form of food waste, yard debris, and paper that can be diverted through composting to create rich, nourishing soil, while also reducing methane emissions and saving space at the landfill. |
We're Giving Away Free Compost Bins!
To encourage more Newton County households, schools, churches, small businesses, and other civic organizations to compost their organic waste, Sustainable Newton partnered with the Newton County Office of the Georgia Extension Service, Newton County Solid Waste Management Authority, Keep Newton Beautiful, and the Newton Chapter of Future Farmers of America to host a Home Composting workshop in October 2025. As part of the workshop, participants received a free compost tumbler to take home with them.
Sustainable Newton subsequently received a $10,000 grant from Amazon Web Services in November 2025 and will use those funds to purchase 80 additional compost tumblers to give away in the community during 2026. If you are committed to putting one of these tumblers to good use, diverting organic waste from our landfill, register here to receive one while supplies last.
To learn more about home composting, you can also view the slides our Newton County Extension Agent Ashley Best presented for the October 2025 workshop.
To encourage more Newton County households, schools, churches, small businesses, and other civic organizations to compost their organic waste, Sustainable Newton partnered with the Newton County Office of the Georgia Extension Service, Newton County Solid Waste Management Authority, Keep Newton Beautiful, and the Newton Chapter of Future Farmers of America to host a Home Composting workshop in October 2025. As part of the workshop, participants received a free compost tumbler to take home with them.
Sustainable Newton subsequently received a $10,000 grant from Amazon Web Services in November 2025 and will use those funds to purchase 80 additional compost tumblers to give away in the community during 2026. If you are committed to putting one of these tumblers to good use, diverting organic waste from our landfill, register here to receive one while supplies last.
To learn more about home composting, you can also view the slides our Newton County Extension Agent Ashley Best presented for the October 2025 workshop.
Expanding RecyclingIn 2024, Sustainable Newton worked with the City of Covington and the Newton County Solid Waste Management Authority to bring drop-off glass recycling to residents of Covington and surrounding communities. You can read about it in this blog post from then Sustainable Newton board member Cameron Skinner who outlined our accomplishments and future plans in Paper & Plastic & Glass, Oh My!
We also continue working with local officials to expand commercial recycling services available to business in our area -- including multi-family housing developments -- and to bring more options for recycling and composting at community events. |
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Find out what actions you can take.
Unlike many climate solutions that require an upfront investment (like an EV or solar panels), reducing our solid waste footprint is something anyone can do with no additional cost and only minor adjustments to lifestyle choices. Click the image above to get some inspiration on easy steps you can take right now.
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Drawdown Georgia ToolkitsThe folks at Drawdown Georgia recruited experts from around the state to write these step-by-step "how to" guides to help you adopt climate solutions in your home or business. Click on each image below to access the guide.
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Waste Reduction & Diversion Actions You Can Take
The best way to reduce is to refuse -- say no to plastic straws, grocery bags, and other items when offered.
When shopping, purchase goods with less excess packaging (especially plastic).
If you have curbside or drop-off recycling available, know what is/isn't accepted & maximize what you recycle.
Plan meals at home and orders on the go to minimize food waste.
Get one of our free compost tumblers (while supplies last) & turn food scraps & yard waste into rich compost.
Carry a refillable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water.
Take your glass bottles to either the county convenience centers or the City of Covington drop-off glass recycling facility. Don't put it in the trash.
When shopping, purchase goods with less excess packaging (especially plastic).
If you have curbside or drop-off recycling available, know what is/isn't accepted & maximize what you recycle.
Plan meals at home and orders on the go to minimize food waste.
Get one of our free compost tumblers (while supplies last) & turn food scraps & yard waste into rich compost.
Carry a refillable water bottle instead of drinking bottled water.
Take your glass bottles to either the county convenience centers or the City of Covington drop-off glass recycling facility. Don't put it in the trash.
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Learning from Others
Fortunately, we don't have to start from scratch. Our Sustainable Newton Waste Reduction & Diversion Committee is learning from others by networking and visiting other communities that have tackled these problems. A good example is our trip to the Athens-Clark County landfill in Winter, GA to tour their community composting center and talk with their Solid Waste Department Manager about their experiences and lessons learned. |
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Our Other Committees:
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