Composting 101

Why is ERUCC composting?

• Composting keeps food waste out of the landfill. This reduces the carbon emissions from the trucks that haul our waste to Chambersburg PA and it reduces the tipping fee that the county pays.
• Food waste in landfills produce gases that are comprised primarily of methane and carbon dioxide, both of which cause global warming.
• Composting is a sustainable way to turn food waste into a healthy life-giving soil.

What can we compost at ERUCC?

• ERUCC has contracted with Key City Compost which is a commercial composting company so we are able to compost much more than you can in a home compost pile.
• ALL food waste including dairy, meat and cooked food can go in the compost bin.
• ALL paper napkins, paper towels, paper plates, food soiled paper and pizza boxes can go in the compost bin.
• BPI compostable cups, bowls and plates. If we use a compostable product during fellowship hour, it will be of compostable quality.

How can you help?

• Follow the signs on the bins for disposing of waste at the end of fellowship.
• Dump liquids into the liquid bucket.
• Food waste and napkins go in the compost bin.
• Items such as clean paper and plastic or glass bottles, jars or tub go in the recycling bin. Check the list for items that can’t be recycled.  HINT- Clamshells, plastic trays and plastic wrap are not recyclable.
• Snack bag wrappers go in a separate bin. They can be recycled at Common Market but not in the blue bin.
• Dishes go in the tub to be washed.
• Anything that is left goes in the trash bin. This includes Starbucks cups!

You will be AMAZED at how much we can reduce our landfill footprint!  Thanks for helping!

 

Being a Creation Justice Church 

We here at ERUCC have long taken seriously the issues of social justice and environmental stewardship. Our green team is now looking to take that to a new level by becoming a UCC Creation Justice Church.

So, what does this mean, and how can you get involved.

First, here’s a review of some of the initiatives undertaken in the past two years:

• Encouraging the use of sustainable products,
• Reducing waste including the elimination of disposal cups, plates and utensils,
• Adopting a program to compost food waste
• Educational forums and classes on topics ranging from recycling to climate change.
• Collaborating with other groups to plant trees
• Participation with the Frederick Food Security Network to grow fresh vegetables for people in need
• Advocacy for the Frederick Climate Emergency Resolution and two forest preservation bills
• Signing up to use community solar at ERUCC and in some of our homes

Being a Creation Justice Church, we have designate our entire community as a “green” church. As a congregation, we will consider environmental and justice issues in all our actions and decisions. Every committee and team will have a part to play. Whether it is looking at green investments, using energy-efficient practices, or considering the environment in our worship and education, we have an opportunity to demonstrate our dedication to Creation. In doing so, we witness to the Frederick community that we are committed to being the church and living out our faith.

At the May 2021 annual meeting of the congregation, we voted to become a Creation Justice Church and the UCC has recognized our commitment to consider environmental and justice issues in all our actions and decisions. The Green Team has been working with every committee and group of the church to consider their practices and activities through the lends of creation justice.

What has that meant? Using glass cups for communion and yes, that means washing them, thereby reducing our use of plastic. Reducing waste including the elimination of disposal cups, plates and utensils. We have started to use the real plates, glasses, cups, and utensils at fellowship events again. We have teams of members who work in the community garden as part of the efforts of the Frederick Food Security Network. We spend time outside gathering for walks and other activities to acknowledge the gifts of air, water, trees, and plants.

These are just a few of the tangible efforts we have made, and are making, to recognize the gifts of creation and our responsibility in caring for the planet.

We have adopted this language as part of our larger Creation Justice statement:

“We, the members of this congregation, realize that God has given us an amazing planet on which to live. This planet is shared by the rest of humanity and will be shared with future generations as well. As such, it is our responsibility to care for this precious gift and keep it healthy for those who will come after us. Being good stewards of our environment will be at the forefront of our thinking as we plan for, and carry out, our ministries”