Point Roberts Organic Earth (PRO Earth) is a local nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing the loss of organic material from Point Roberts and reducing greenhouse gasses. Organic materials include yard and garden waste, wood waste, as well as kitchen food waste. The group has been awarded a $94,000 Local and Community Projects grant from Washington state.
PRO Earth was established in late 2022 following a Point Roberts Garden Club discussion of what happens to garden refuse that is not home composted or chipped. A working group consisting of local residents with research, planning, engineering and writing backgrounds convened and formed PRO Earth to advocate for a more circular, sustainable system.
In 2023, the group secured a $10,000 NextCycle grant to conduct an initial analysis of green waste in Point Roberts and explore ways to improve the current situation. Upon reviewing the results, state senator Sharon Shewmake and state representative Alicia Rule, sponsored a request for funds to complete a full feasibility study of implementing a local green waste system.
A Point Roberts green waste system would potentially include woody waste chipping, and both yard and kitchen waste composting. The mulch and compost products would be available to the public. A local green waste system would be convenient and would reduce trucking, burning, and landfill volume with its associated methane gas production. Tons of organic material could be retained on the Point.
Over the course of 2024, PRO Earth will be leading discussions in our community to inform people about the scope of the problems, and explore how they can be remedied in a way that benefits our land, air quality and furthers a sustainable community. Watch for announcements of public meetings over the course of the summer.
The first public meeting will be on Sunday, June 30 at 2 p.m. at the Point Roberts Community Center.
If you would like to volunteer, donate or have questions please send a note to:
PointRobertsOrganics@gmail.com
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