City of Santa Maria
Santa Maria, California
Proclamation
WHEREAS, the Compost Research & Education Foundation, along with Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, and other countries have declared the first full week of May to be the annual International Compost Awareness Week . O rganic materials suitable for composting represent a large percentage of materials that are landfilled and could be composted each year, and composting is an effective form of waste reduction, reuse and recycling. Compost improves the soil structure, reduces erosion and runs off, supplies the soil with a variety of macro and micronutrients; and enables compost-amended soils to use less water; and
WHEREAS, using sustainable soil -enriching composts helps prevent the erosion of valuable topsoil without depleting valuable wildlife habitats. Community Sustainability is enhanced by composting green waste, biosolids, and other organic materials and promoting the use of renewable resources in landscaping, horticulture, and agriculture . R eturning composted organic resources to the soil is a method of decreasing the dependence on chemical fertilizers, decreasing erosion, reducing water consumption, and non-point pollution; and
WHEREAS, The City of Santa Maria has initiated Greenwaste and Foo dwaste collection programs to aid in the efforts of Environmental Sustainability. Engel & Gray Inc. Regional Composting Facility, Santa Maria, has been successfully composting organic material for sustainable agricultural practices since 1993, and the City has invested in collection programs to meet state requirements and save valuable landfill space.
NOW, THEREFORE, I ALICE M. PATINO, Mayor of the City of Santa Maria hereby recognize the week of May 3 through 9, 2026, as:
“COMPOST AWARENESS WEEK”
in the City of Santa Maria, as well as recognizing the efforts of the Composting Councils, Extension Agents, householders, landscapers, farmers, recyclers, public workers, composters, gardeners, and plant growers everywhere, along with Engel & Gray I nc., and Harvest Blend Compost.
IN WITNESS THEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and have caused the Seal of the City of Santa Maria to be affixed hereto this 5th day of May 2026.
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Alice M. Patino, Mayor