A new compost drop-off location is coming to Barrington. 

Two Barrington High School students recently received approval from town officials to install a compost drop-off structure in the parking lot of the Barrington Senior Center, just east of Wood’s Pond. 

Construction on the drop-off structure — the foundation is in place and volunteers are currently working on building the box. 

• Who is spearheading this project? Emma Pautz and Sabine Cladis are juniors at Barrington High School and are avid environmentalists. Since their freshman year, Emma and Sabine have been interested in composting. Together, they started composting at the high school, spoke and organized the 2023 Rhode Island College Conference and Trade Show, and now they are working on setting up the compost drop-off location in the parking lot of the senior center.

• What is Compost? Compost is a collection of food waste that can be recycled into organic matter and used as a fertilizer. As the compost decomposes it offsets carbon emissions and reduces the rates of methane. “Limiting these greenhouse gases results in a healthier planet,” stated an email from Emma and Sabine. 

• What is a compost drop-off? Compost drop-off is a form of composting collection that relies on the food waste from local residents. At compost drop-off sites, which are ideally situated in areas open to the public, individuals are able to drop off their food waste cost-free; it will later be used in community farms.

• Our Project: “Over the last few months we have been working to create a composting site in the parking lot of the Senior Center. Here, townspeople can drop off their compost where it will be delivered to the Barrington Farm School, a regenerative farm that cultivates compost and eventually uses it in their gardens,” stated the email. 

• The Importance of Composting: “If we, as a town, looked into the soil in which our produce grows we would be horrified. Due to widespread use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, soil across the country has lost its nutrient content. The essential nutrients the soil lacks, the food we eat lacks as well,” stated the email. “By composting food waste we ensure healthy soil and healthy people. Not only is the composting process one of ecology, but of community as well!” 

• Thank you to our donors and supporters. “We would like to thank Mark and Mary Hanchar for funding this project and aiding us in the design and construction! We would also like to thank the Town Hall (specifically Town Manager Phil Hervey and Jean Bellm) for coordinating with us to get this site up and running! In addition, we will like to thank Barrington Environmental Establishment, Barrington Farm School, and The Compost Community Depot. for their help.”

• OK to compost: Vegetables, fruits, egg shells, coffee grounds and filters, seafood shells, brown paper towels and brown napkins

• Do not compost: Dairy products, meat, processed foods, compostable bags, compostable take-out containers, paper towels, pet waste and cat litter, and store-bought flowers