Building a Sustainable Future: ComposTogether

Today, we had the pleasure of interviewing Eugene Hwang, a rising senior at Fort Lee High School, who shared his journey with ComposTogether, a composting initiative led by local student volunteers. 

Background

Eugene’s motivation for ComposTogether was deeply influenced by meeting with Eunnye Yang, a passionate sustainability activist. From the conversations they shared, Eugene grew more interested in waste management, prompting him to conduct his own research in South Korea.

Eugene: “The waste management in Korea is much more centralized. Instead of the standard separation of cardboard, plastic, and trash, Korean cities have designed bins for food waste, cans, plastic, glass, etc.” 

South Korea's proactive approach significantly reduces landfill waste, promotes recycling, and enhances resource management. Inspired by the environmental benefits of this model, Eugene sought to introduce community composting in Fort Lee. While he understands that one program alone can't solve all local sustainability issues, he believes that ComposTogether will be an important first step toward improving waste management in the community.

Project Details

Together with Co-Founder Allison Kim, ComposTogether collects food waste from individuals and local businesses in Fort Lee on a weekly basis. Student volunteers process the waste in compost bins provided by the Department of Public Works, located in the community garden at Constitution Park. After a few months, the yielded compost is distributed back to enrich the soil in local gardens, parks, and community spaces. 

The program is entirely student-led with volunteers ranging from first graders to college freshmen. On designated composting days, teams gather to accept and process the compost.

Community Involvement

From its beginning, ComposTogether has thrived thanks to the support of various organizations and individuals. 

• The Korean Parents Advisory Committee (KPAC) has fervently sponsored the program, bringing in the majority of volunteers. 

• Fort Lee Regional Chamber of Commerce, through Director Jeffrey Ware, connected ComposTogether with local officials and the Department of Public Works, which has been crucial for the program’s growth. 

• The Youth Council of Fort Lee and Kacy Knight played a significant role in recruiting volunteers. 

Most importantly, Eugene credits his early meeting with Eunnye Yang who taught the basics of composting-knowledge that became the foundation of the project. 

Currently, the organization is actively collecting waste from Caffe AND, Füdgarten, and numerous local households. 

Challenges and Learning

Starting a composting program wasn’t without challenges. 

Eugene: “At first, despite our efforts to advertise, we had very little interest in five volunteers during the planning phase. However, with the support of KPAC and the Youth Council of Fort Lee, our volunteer numbers grew significantly.

Through these hurdles, Eugene gained invaluable experience in leadership and the logistics of running a community project. 

Eugene: “I quickly learned what it truly takes to start and lead a community project. Initially, I naively thought that all we had to do was announce the composting initiative and do some planning, but it turned out to require much more effort than I anticipated.”

Eugene discovered that there were many details he didn’t consider, such as how much food waste would be collected and the specific size of the compost bins. 

Although this composting initiative was focused on improving our environment, Eugene gained much more than just environmental insights. He learned to be a leader, advocate, and entrepreneur, gaining essential skills to bring the program to fruition. 

Future Plans and Impact

When asked about ComposTogether’s goals, Eugene emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the food waste problem in the United States. 

In New Jersey, approximately 50% of food waste ends up in landfills. This creates a huge issue in our community from environmental contamination to pollution. 

Eugene: “Our organization has made great strides in making Fort Lee a greener place to live, but there’s still more work ahead. We aim to involve more households and businesses in regularly donating food waste. Then, we plan to host an event to give the compost back to the community.”

Advice and Personal Insights

When asked for advice regarding other students interested in similar projects, Eugene emphasized the importance of connections with local organizations. 

Eugene: “Whether it’s a community service organization or the Department of Public Works, having their support makes starting a program much easier and smoother.”

He also stressed the importance of thoroughly planning the structure and details of the program, rather than launching an impulsive idea. 

Eugene: “Many of us want to help the environment, but it can feel overwhelming when it pushes us beyond our comfort zone. Hence, working with the right people can help you achieve your goals and make a difference in your community.”

Get Involved!

ComposTogether represents a movement towards a greener and more sustainable Fort Lee. Students can volunteer through the website (compostogther.org) and businesses can also participate by donating food waste at the site.