About Us

Driven by Purpose. Grounded in Impact.

Common Ground Compost was founded by Laura Rosenshine with a clear mission: to transform the way we think about and manage waste. It all started with the launch of Reclaimed Organics, our innovative microhauling division, and quickly grew into a broader effort to reduce and divert waste from landfills.

From the beginning, we focused on keeping valuable materials out of the trash stream. As demand for sustainable services increased, our work expanded into Zero Waste Event design, where we’ve collaborated with forward-thinking clients throughout New York City.

Our education and consulting divisions have grown through in-depth research, continuous innovation, and practical expertise. Each initiative is built on behavior-centered design, helping organizations understand and change the way they approach waste at every level.

Today, CGC is proud to be a leading sustainability consulting firm in New York City. We deliver customized Zero Waste solutions that make environmental responsibility both achievable and impactful.

Our Team

Jonas schaller (he/him)

Chief Financial Operator / Director of Microhauling

Jonas Schaller was imported to the USA from Germany in 2014 to help solve the NYC compost crisis! When not joking around, he maintains the Reclaimed Organics Microhauling trike fleet, collects compost, manages on-site food scrap processing, audits waste and helps keep the company’s books. It’s true that he is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor whose favored mode of transport is the bicycle. Jonas can frequently be found escaping the city on his tin donkey (that’s a German term for bicycle!). Jonas is a Master Composter.

Jason Jones (he/him)

Lead Microhauler

Hello, my name is Jason! I joined the CGC family in winter of 2021. I am a microhauler and I look forward to the learning experience I’ll go through while working with this group of amazing individuals. I've been welcomed with open arms even though I didn’t know much about composting before this job! It is never too late to start learning and I’m happy to help try to make a difference in the world with this company - no matter how big or small the impact.

Candice cotler (they/them)

Chief Operating Officer / Consulting Lead

Candice joined the CGC team in March of 2021 to do social media and quickly became the team They Friday - or They of all Trades, if you prefer! From web development to audio/video production to audit staffing and off-site event management, Candice doesn’t mind taking on a challenge! Candice is a certified Reiki Master and has been reading Tarot for 20+ years. You’ll find them hanging out with their wonderful cat, Jude. Candice is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor & TRUE Advisory Committee Member, & studying for their LEED Green Associate exam.

annie keating (she/her)

Sustainability Consultant & Event and Audit Lead

Annie is a proud trash nerd with a background helping designers and manufacturers integrate sustainability into their manufacturing practices. She is passionate about building strong relationships to support waste reduction, diversion, and education. Annie is excited to be a part of the CGC team, arming folks with their waste analytics and facilitating positive operational changes. Annie is a certified LEED Green Associate and TRUE Certified Waste Advisor.

Erin mahone (she/her)

Sustainability Consultant & Event and Audit Lead

Erin Mahone is a Zero Waste Consultant at CGC, she coordinates and manages our waste audits and events. Her interest in sustainability began working as a textile designer specializing in natural dyes. Through her practice, she found the abundance of floral and food waste in NYC perfect for dyeing that otherwise would have gone to the landfill. This sparked her curiosity for waste diversion, reduction, and circular economic models. When not working at CGC, she is usually enjoying one of the many beautiful parks with her dog Lucy! Erin is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor and Master Composter.

jo mispel (she/her)

Zero Waste Educator & Sustainability Consultant

Jo Mispel is a Zero Waste Consultant at CGC. Passionate about humanity's need to re-engage with decomposition and life cycles, she gladly left a long stint in corporate publishing to realign. She is thrilled to be part of the organic (yep) CGC family of fellow trash nerds and earth stewards. She loves being part of a team tirelessly striving to recover materials from landfills, and enjoys participating in the mission to help others, big and small, understand what waste really means, reach their waste diversion goals and become part of a more circular economy. Jo is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor and Master Composter.

Luke parker (they/them)

Microhauler

I was born and raised in Phoenix Arizona before moving out to New York for college, where i majored in photography. I have been working working for Common Ground Compost for over a year, previously I had only had experience collecting my own personal compost but I have really enjoyed learning more about the process of creating compost. As a compost hauler you can often find me riding through the city on our trusty trike Sunshine, listening to folk punk, ska, and hyperpop. I typically spend my free time skating around the city and taking photos, and making videos. Even though i’ve only been doing it for a short while I have loved being able to help make a little difference in the world while meeting some lovely people along the way.

Xander shaw (he/him)

Microhauling Fleet and Compost Operations Manager

Xander had the pleasure of joining the team in January of 2024 after spending over 5 years working with community composting nonprofits in NYC. As Microhauling Fleet and Compost Operations Manager, Xander is keeping the electric tricycles running smoothly and the compost piles cooking all year round. Xander is passionate about offering compost focused educational opportunities for groups of all ages. Outside of work you’ll find Xander spending time outside with loved ones and his (tiny) dog! Xander loves cooking with local food, bike rides all around the city, container gardening, and is often found on adventures with family in New England. Xander is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor.

Michael Mcallister (he/him)

Microhauler & On-site Events Lead

Michael McAllister is a compost hauler and sometimes event manager at Common Ground Compost. His interest in sustainability began as an organic farmer in the Hudson Valley, and eventually led him to the grape growing regions of New York. Michael is currently an ambassador for the New York Wine and Grape Foundation, and pursuing his sommelier certification. His focus is the continued spotlight and education of sustainable food and farming practices here locally.

william klimpert (he/him)

Fmr. Data Architect & Data Advisor

William is the Data and Systems Director at WATS, and former Director of Analytics at Common Ground Compost. As an avid nature enthusiast with a background in plant biophysics, he seeks to use data and technology to increase the accessibility of sustainability initiatives. Since 2019, William has been working with CGC to develop tools and reports that improve workflows and bring audit, composting, and diversion statistics to life. William is a TRUE Zero Waste Advisor.

meredith danberg-ficarelli (she/her)

Fmr. Executive Director & Advisory Board Member

Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli is the former Executive Director of Common Ground Compost LLC. She has sat on the US Composting Council board of directors and the steering committee of the Institute for Local Self Reliance’s Community Composting Coalition. She was recognized by the New York State Association for Reuse, Reduction, and Recycling with the 2019 Recycling Leadership Award. Meredith is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor.

Laura Rosenshine (she/her)

Founder & Advisory Board Member

Laura founded CGC in 2014 after a few years working in the commercial waste sector including working with a Norwegian-based technology company piloting in-vessel organics processing in NYC. In 2017, Laura Co-Founded Foodprint Group which was focused on working with chain businesses in and outside of NYC to bring standardization and industry best practices to their waste management programs. In 2021, Laura returned to CGC to focus on building a waste management online platform. Laura is a TRUE Certified Waste Advisor.

Strengthen Your Vendor Diversity with a Certified Women-Owned Business

As of September 2025, Common Ground Compost is proud to be officially certified as a Women-Owned Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Founded and operated in New York City, we are a 100% women-owned sustainability consulting firm, committed to helping organizations meet their environmental goals while supporting inclusive procurement practices. Partner with us to advance both your sustainability and supplier diversity objectives!

Learn more about the Port Authority's certification program here.

Check out WATS!

Founded by Laura Rosenshine and Meredith Danberg-Ficarelli (founder and former Executive Director of CGC, respectively).

WATS (Waste Administration + Tracking Software) quantifies the carbon footprint of waste, and automatically delivers action oriented steps to reduce impact.

WATS guides business operators, facilities managers, and sustainability teams in their new and ongoing engagement with waste reduction and the circular economy.