Since 2014, we have been identifying and celebrating municipalities, organizations, businesses, and other entities that offer their residents, patrons, and guests options for composting through our We Compost Recognition Program.

Here’s what our newest partners are saying about sustainability:

"We are striving to be more eco-conscious with the products we use to serve coffee and snack items. We host events with local collaborators to do clothing swaps—people bring in items to donate and swap—for FREE! We plan to do this every few months." Marie Meade, Side Practice Coffee, Chicago, Silver Level Partner

"We are seeking to be zero waste with all of our packaging and reduce our carbon footprint. In a typical week, we have about 18 gallons of landfill waste and 32 gallons of compost. Most of our recycling is cardboard boxes." Matt Wechsler, Village Farmstand, Evanston, Gold Level Partner

"Bennett Day School is committed to reducing our school community’s impact on the environment through student-led project-based learning and school-wide sustainability initiatives. We are thrilled to be joining the We Compost program!" Sam Rud, Bennett Day School, Chicago, Silver Level Partner

Village Farmstand - Evanston, January 2021

Evanston Rebuilding Warehouse - Evanston, April 2021

MKB Architects - Chicago, April 2021

Side Practice Coffee - Chicago, May 2021

Coffee Hip-Hop & Mental Health - Chicago, May 2021

Uncommon Closet - Chicago, June 2021

City Grange - Chicago, July 2021

All partners are recognized on IFSC's website HERE.

Check out Grey House Productions Founder and CEO, Hannah Soto, as a panelist on a Chicago Green: Sustainability Practices in Film/TV Production webinar. She talked about her leadership and how composting was part of her initial strategy to implement sustainability into her operations at the studio. Begins at 28:45 HERE.

Show others what you're doing. We are looking for your smiling faces and short videos to use in our communications with the greater IFSC community. In your video, please state the name and location of your entity and explain how food scrap or organics are being separated in your operations. Aside from posting on your own platforms, please send videos to illinoiscomposts@gmail.com.

Join Facebook discussions. These groups are great for people who care about sustainability, whether they have been deeply involved for a long time or are just beginning. Feel free to ask questions and/or share info with others.

Check out apps for reducing food waste. Too Good To Go has saved over 800,000 meals to date. That's a lot of food. This international company launched in New York City about a year ago and is now fighting food waste in 12 cities across the United States, including Chicago. Too Good To Go works with with over 5,000 shops and restaurants and 1.5 million users have joined the food waste revolution. Learn about their downloadable app HERE. More app inspiration HERE.

By displaying decals in their shop window, Gold Level We Compost Partner Katherine Anne Confections lets their customers know that they compost and that they are combating food waste by participating in Too Good To Go’s program.

Learn more about a cash subsidy program that helps restaurants and schools make the switch from plastic to reusable products HERE.

Good Start Packaging's mission is to inspire people to be more conscious about their use of disposable plastic while helping foodservice operators build sustainable, successful businesses. Take a look at their 2021 digital catalog HERE.

WSD is held annually on December 5th to focus attention on the importance of healthy soil and to advocate for the sustainable management of soil resources. Governments, organizations, communities and individuals around the world are encouraged to engage in proactively improving soil health. Watch 7 Simple Ways for Anyone to be the Solution to Soil Pollution HERE.