Boston, August 7, 2015, — Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s Office of Neighborhood Services, Environment, Energy & Open Space, and the City of Boston Public Works Department joined community partners in building an Aerated Static Pile Facility, from which heated carbon dioxide-enriched air is captured and pumped into an adjacent greenhouse, at the Mattapan Ecovation Center to boost composting and recycling in the City of Boston.
“Each and every single resident and visitor to the City of Boston plays a vital role in the well-being of our environment,” said Mayor Walsh. “By working together, we can make Boston one of the most sustainable and climate-resilient cities in the country. It starts with us, and this greenhouse is a part of our solution. I extend my gratitude to Public Works, Neighborhood Services and Environment, Energy & Open Space for continuing to make a positive impact on our community.”
The center, located at 416 American Legion Highway, is a 2,800 square foot greenhouse that uses biological energy created from composted materials to help aide in the process and production of plants. The composting greenhouse will be used to recycle approximately 1000 cubic yards of organic materials annually.
“This greenhouse establishes a national urban model that combines state and private funding with local resources and talent to address the effects and causes of climate change,” said Bruce Fulford of City Soil.
This project was made possible through a grant award from the Urban Agricultural Program at the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources (MDAR) and the Suffolk County Conservation District. City Soil & Greenhouse contributed and secured more than $100,000 in materials and services match to the MDAR funds for the project.
As part of its Climate Action Plan, the City is committed to reducing waste by increasing recycling and diverting organics. In 2013, the City piloted Project Oscar, a residential community composting program. The City is exploring opportunities to expand it to 2 additional neighborhoods this year. For more information about Project Oscar, visit: www.cityofboston.gov/food/compost.