Making Composting More Accessible in Atlanta

Uniting Metro Atlanta Communities for a Greener Future

Posted is a community-based environmental initiative designed to keep residents informed about new sustainability projects and make composting more accessible. 

By partnering with small businesses, local governments, and existing compost facilities, Posted creates an easy entry point for individuals and companies to take part in reducing waste, supporting circular economies, and promoting environmental education across Atlanta and beyond.

But how did we get here? A very long time ago, I (Semone Blackshear) thought I’d go to culinary school in Chicago. With parents born, raised, and heavily rooted in the South, my blissfully naive personality of often being too kind, steered my parents suggestion that I avoid culinary school altogether. In their minds, cooks didn’t make money, and I’d be living with them forever. Good thing that was partially true; the average national hourly rate for a line cook is $17 (US Bureau of Labor Statistics, bus.gov).

Upon taking their advice, I found myself at Georgia State considering becoming a Doctor of Physical Therapy. . . Random, I know, but on brand if I do not say so myself. After graduating, and a couple of management positions later, I decided to take a leap of faith and apply to the Culinary Institute of America (yay)! The costs were insane to say the least. I simply couldn’t afford it, but was offered a wonderful opportunity to work at the Ironworks location of Barcelona Wine Bar (this story needs its own blog moment). Anywho, let’s fast forward to late-2019, early-2020 where I — amongst billions of others — experienced a major PESTLE life change due to a global pandemic (aaaand pregnancy ☺️). The pre-COVID economy could have partially provided a stable lifestyle at $17/hr, give or take a few extra side gigs.

During a global pandemic, mid-“failure-to-launch”, and student loan debt that could buy a mini-mansion, I was on edge! Postpartum, my dad advises that as a newly wed and mom, my dreams were now further delayed and my career would need to be more predictable. That’s when I realized, welp, I probably will not become a billionaire in this lifetime so why not create a passion project to still have a sense of self. The transition into the corporate lifestyle has equipped more than I could give credit. I’ve now completed my MBA with a concentration in Project Management, volunteered with a nonprofit consulting firm in efforts to share business advice to other local nonprofits, and now combine my passion for quality food, environmental health issues, and connecting with my community all-in-one. If you have read this far, thank you, and welcome to a greener Atlanta!