Meet Kaile Teramoto | Co-Founder of Westside Compost

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kaile Teramoto and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kaile, how does your business help the community?
Our business, Westside Compost, is a Los Angeles based initiative that helps promote the values of composting to help close the food waste cycle. When we recycle food waste through natural decomposition such as composting, we are building back up the soil structure and adding nutrients where it was once lost due to harmful human activity. This could benefit the community by creating conversation around the topic of eating healthy, implementing community gardens, and learning the fundamentals of re-soiling. When we are planting and taking care of our own gardens, we are also taking care of our own body. It is a full circle moment that is bigger than just recycling food waste.

In the grand scheme of it all, cutting back on food waste in landfills would also lower the percentage of methane gases that are released back into the earth due to organic matter decomposing anaerobically (no air).

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Westside Compost started during a pandemic. Even during the darkest of times, we were able to cultivate a community of people who really wanted to learn more about the values of composting. This inspired me to not only make Westside Compost an educational platform, but a sustainable hub where others can connect to the idea of achieving a sustainable future. To overcome challenges that arose during the pandemic took faith: faith in my process, in myself, and the message I wanted to carry over to millennials. With success, comes failure, and with failure comes growth. If you are growing as a business, you have done your part.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The first thing on my mind is The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens in San Marino. It is the perfect combination of exotic gardens and plants from around the world.

I would also stop by the Calabasas farmers market that is open every Saturday to get fresh fruits and vegetables from local Los Angeles Farmers. Would head to Underwood family farms in Moorpark where they let you pick your own fruits and vegetables.

For groceries, a must visit is re_grocery in Highland Park. It is one of the few package-less grocery stores in Los Angeles.

On the outskirts of Los Angeles, is an alpaca farm called Canzelle Alpacas. It is a go to for me to escape the city and hang out with these incredibly loving creatures.

For dining, there is the sushi restaurant called Seaweed on 6th street in Koreatown. Best sushi in town.
Would have to stop by my friend Mike’s spot, Love Hour burger off of Western in Koreatown. Best burgers in town.
All the way in Sherman Oaks is Anajak. Say hi to my friend Justin and eat the best panang curry of your life.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The strongest influences in my life have been my therapist, family, and friends. Having a strong support system and healthy mindset has led me to uncover many layers of my souls purpose. More specifically I look up to my dad who taught be all I know about agricultural, gardening, and the importance of putting food on the table for our family. There is a unity that is created when growing your own crop and feeding your family, neighborhood, and community.

Website: westsidecompost.com

Instagram: @westsidecompost

Facebook: facebook.com/westsidecompost

Image Credits
Photographer Jaxon Whittington