In this episode of Nature Wins, host Maureen Aylward speaks to Cape Ann-based waste professionals to learn more about Cape Ann’s waste story. Listeners will hear from Sharon Byrne Kishida, solid waste and recycling expert, who advocates for better waste policies across Cape Ann. Conor Miller and Andrew Brousseau talk about their inspiring composting business – Black Earth Compost.

Segment 1: Host Maureen Aylward interviews municipal waste expert, Sharon Byrne Kishida.

Segment 2: Maureen Aylward speaks to Conor Miller, CEO, and Andrew Brousseau, Compost Manager, from Black Earth Compost.

Notes and Resources

Nature Wins Episode 4: Sharon Byrne Kishida, Massachusetts Product Stewardship Council

Sharon Byrne Kishida is a planning committee member for the Massachusetts Product Stewardship Council (MassPSC) that advocates for product stewardship legislation for mattresses and paint and extended producer responsibility legislation for packaging. A long-time resident of Rockport, Sharon recently retired from MassDEP where she served 23 years as the regional waste/recycling coordinator for the Northeast District 3 (39 cities and towns North of Boston). She is a municipal solid waste consultant and member of the Cape Ann Climate Coalition Legislative and Interfaith Climate Justice Committee.

Segment Resources

• Website: https://massrecycle.org/initiatives-events/massachusetts-product-stewardship-council/

Black Earth Compost’s Conor Miller and Andrew Brousseau

Conor Miller, Partner, CEO, started Black Earth in 2011 after moving east from Jackson Hole, WY where he worked for a recycling collection company. A once avid backcountry skier and surfer, he now finds running Black Earth to be the greatest adventure, focusing on the collection side of the company and capital allocation. Having been the truck driver, welder, salesman, and many other hats in the beginning due to necessity, Conor has a strong foundation in all aspects of business that you only get from experience.

Andrew Brousseau, Partner, Compost Manager

Black Earth Compost was founded in January 2011 in Gloucester, MA. Originally a one man, one truck, Cape Ann company, it has steadily grown to become the leading full service compost company in New England. With over 35 trucks, it is dedicated to collecting food scraps from residents, schools, supermarkets, colleges, and more, all across eastern MA and RI. It is also the only vertically integrated company that composts the material too, returning it to customers and selling it in garden centers across Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire.

Segment Resources

• Black Earth Compost Website:


• About Black Earth Compost


• Black Earth Compost’s Manchester compost facility