Did you know that when it comes to winning and losing, the fear of loss is far greater than the joy of winning? In study after study, “loss aversion” has proven to effect decision-making in ways that you may not expect. For example, a person is less likely to sell something they own for $10, than they are to buy the same item for $10. People are also more likely to become politically involved when their rights are threatened, than if there's a vote on a law that would give them more rights. Why? According to psychologists Amos Tversky and Daniel Kahneman, “Evolution has made pain a more urgent matter than pleasure, since avoiding pain is the thing that can keep you alive.” Knowing our propensity to take action to avoid pain, can be a good thing. This brings me to the purpose of this article. Composting is not typically something a business owner, a manager or even a resident feels obligated to do just because it is a good idea. Nor does it feel like winning when it is done well. Yet, composting is an opportunity to win and avoid pain all in one – and that is something worth considering.