Our Mission -
We are dedicated to capturing local food waste and creating compost that is beneficial to Earth and our community.
Hours & Location
Our Story -
We started our grassroots non-profit in the spring of 2024 after realizing that there was a glaring gap in our abundant local food system here in Jefferson County. The gap? It’s the 17% of the local waste stream that is compostable and is currently being trucked away and dumped in a landfill in Oregon. All of those nutrients could be captured and composted, keeping valuable resources in our community that contribute to climate resilience, food security, vibrant ecological habitat, and our local economy.
In spring of 2025, we’re launching the pilot phase of our project with support from Jefferson County Public Works Dept. This phase will test the feasibility of building a larger compost facility that will meet the needs of our community. In the meantime, we’re gathering community support and ideas, and laying the foundation for the work ahead of us.
In crafting this dream, we’re trying to build community and foster new conversations regarding the use of resources and and what we defined as “waste”. We’re interested in the evolving conversation about how we can reshape the systems in place to make our planet and communities healthier. This starts with an honest look at how we manage our waste and for citizens to step up and take an active role with the process. We’re interested in cultivating a community mindset around being thoughtful stewards of this earth through effective management of our waste stream by composting food scraps.
Our Services -
In the spring of 2025, we’ll be offering a subscription based service that will give customers access to convenient food scrap drop off locations throughout the greater Port Townsend area. Customers will pay a monthly fee of $15 to gain access to the drop off locations that we’re calling “community compost pods”. Every 6 months, members will receive a “give back” of a 1.5 cubic foot bag compost. Alternatively, subscribers can choose to donate their portion to local school gardens, community gardens, or small farms.
In the fall of 2025, Return to Earth will begin to sell finished compost directly from our facility or by delivery.
Want to sign up today? Join our list of pre-subscribers and you’ll be the first to be notified when we’re ready to launch. Due to facility permitting, we can only accept the volume of food scraps for around 350 households each week. So get your subscription soon!