Join us at the 2026 RI Compost Conference and Tradeshow
Hosted by Rhode Island College and the RI Food Policy Council
Wednesday, March 11, 2026 from 9am – 3:30pm at Rhode Island College
The annual Rhode Island Compost Conference & Trade Show brings together wasted food generators, composters, food recovery organizations, regulators, legislators, and the general public to network, to trade ideas and learn more about compost and the wasted food ecosystem.
Help us advance wasted food solutions in Rhode Island!
Open to All
The conference will share best practices in the composting of wasted food. Attendees will come away with knowledge of many different composting methods, as well as a good sense of what tactics typically do and don’t work. Attendees may be composters, haulers, municipality personnel, school students, faculty, administrators, restaurant owners, or really anyone who’s eager to learn alternative methods of wasted food disposal.
Show Your Art
This year we are trying something new, we are asking YOU to help us design our tote bags for next year! The theme for the next conference is (to be determined)
The art you submit must be:
- One Color/Black
- Uploaded as a .PNG file
- Not made with the assistance of generative AI
Please submit your art by November 30, 2025. Email isaacr@rifoodcouncil.org with any questions.
Speaker Proposals: 2026 RI Compost Conference
This year’s theme is Composting is the Community Soilution and presentations that demonstrate how we are advancing organic waste reduction, donation, diversion and composting within our communities are encouraged.
Potential Topic Suggestions: Using Organics to meet recycling/climate goals, Marketing and Using Compost, Farming Innovation and Soil Health, The Business of Composting, Managing Operations, Municipal Programs, Climate Change, Contamination Reduction and Measurement, State Regulatory Processes, Composting Process, Community Composting, Food Waste Technology trends (AD, aerobic, in-vessel, windrows, etc) and Food Waste Reduction, Surplus Food Donation, backyard composting or other trending topics.
Please note these are suggestions only, if you have a topic that you feel is of interest to the RI community please submit for consideration
Presentations will be structured around 15-20 minutes. If you would like to propose a multi person presentation or different format please indicate that clearly in your response.
Please fill out by November 29, 2025
Conference Accessibility
The RI Compost Conference and Trade Show is a space for everybody, no matter your financial situation. To apply for a scholarship, please mail isaac@rifoodcouncil.org
We are excited to be offering childcare at this year’s conference. If you are in need of childcare during the conference, please be sure to indicate that in your registration.
Schedule of Events
This year’s event will feature nationally recognized keynote speakers, four tracks of morning and afternoon panels representing solutions for municipal and community food waste, surplus and wasted food in schools and helping businesses, over 15 local and regional exhibitors, and an Ice Cream Social to close the day!