Congratulations, Slop Superstars!

Back in March, the 2026 Backyard Compost Challenge began with a question: How many pounds of food waste would Rockbridge County households keep out of the landfill if given the chance? Now, our numbers are in. During our 10-week, 85-household project, we collectively diverted 4,073 pounds of food waste from the landfill. (Check out our full data summary here.) In other words, our participants truly are compost champions.

At the end of the project, we shared a survey to measure participants' successes, lessons, and challenges throughout the spring. The responses we received demonstrate that the Backyard Compost Challenge is about so much more than 10 weeks of composting: It’s about a community growing new and lasting practices of Earth stewardship. So what does that look like? Here are some of our biggest takeaways from the survey results:

How have we changed?

Many households noticed a greater awareness of how their actions impact the world. As one participant wrote, “I ammore conscious of food waste and want to minimize it in my household.” Another added, “I waste less of the foods that I can't compost because I know they aren't compostable.” This new awareness of waste has also affected their daily habits. One participant wrote that the Challenge “shocked me how much food we normally waste.” Another household reported that they are now “using ripe food rather than tossing it,” and yet another wrote that they are “more mindful of how to limit waste and eating healthier.” Very importantly, the vast majority of households – 98.6%! – plan to continue composting. In other words, they are excited to continue making this big, meaningful change.

How have we benefited?

Several households described what they’d gained through the Challenge, especially with respect to gardening. One participant said that composting has “renewed my interest in soil ecology and biological gardening practices,” and another reported that “I’ve started a vegetable garden this year.” Another household described their enthusiasm to use the finished compost: “We are excited for the bin to almost be done for our first compost collection!!!” As these words make clear, while participants certainly helped the Earth by composting, they also helped themselves.

What were our greatest obstacles?

While a variety of challenges arose – including dogs wanting to get into an Earth Machine! – by far the most frequently cited was simply “remembering.” Whether it was difficult to remember to keep food scraps out of the trash, weigh the pail, submit data, or help children remember these skills, we know that new habits are hard to start and maintain. We so appreciate everyone’s perseverance, and we are happy to report that one veteran composter wrote last year, “Composting hasn’t been a hassle at all and I’m now using last year’s compost in my vegetable and flower garden.” In other words: Composting gets easier the more we keep at it – and as we see the fruits of our labor.

What was most meaningful?

Many households noted that our community infused the Challenge with meaning and value. As one participant put it, “I loved how it was a community project so it felt like part of something bigger.” Another noted the many ways they felt connected to other Challenge participants: “I felt a camaraderie in knowing others were doing what I was doing...planning meals, sharing meals, trying not to waste, everything that goes into doing better for the environment. I liked seeing the yard signs when I would be out and about.” Still another participant expressed, “I love being part of a community that is actively working, in our small way, to help solve the global climate crisis.”

How will the Challenge live on?

Several participants remarked how valuable it was to learn composting alongside young people, whose new habits will last far into the future. One participant wrote that “getting my kids involved” was especially meaningful: “even my 3-year-old mostly knows what can be composted. The kids automatically put the right things in the compost bin.” Another reported how much she valued doing the Challenge with her 7-year-old: “It was fun teaching him about food waste and how we can still use it in a different way.” Another household wrote, “This was a great project to do with my family. My boys became very aware of what was able to go in the compost bin. They helped with the process of chopping foods and cardboard into smaller pieces. They didn't necessarily like turning the bin but loved watching the temperatures rise afterward.” Another participant expressed that the Challenge created “a way to teach my daughter how to be a friend to the Earth.”

Reflections from your Compost Challenge Team

At Boxerwood, this project has renewed our faith in the ability of communities to work together, learn new and exciting skills, and make a difference. From your smiling faces on our Earth Machine pickup days, to your conscientious communication, to all the creative and valuable experiences you’ve shared, it’s been an inspiration to witness our community flourish. Congratulations to the 2026 Backyard Compost Challenge Champions!