Composting

Food and organic waste make up a large portion of our everyday trash. When organic wastes decompose in a landfill, they generate methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. Composting reduces the amount of waste directed to landfills by transforming organic waste into useful fertilizer, and it reduces the emission of harmful greenhouse gases. Generating compost and using it in landscaping can save money through reduced waste disposal fees and hauling costs, and by reducing the need to purchase water, fertilizers, and pesticides.

Many local governments offer assistance to companies that want to develop composting systems. Contact your local government’s recycling or solid waste management department to learn more about the services it provides. Your waste hauler may also be able to help connect you with a local composting operation. Also consider joining the EPA’s free WasteWise program, which provides members with several benefits, including a technical assistance team that can help your business investigate composting.

For listings of composting service providers near you, visit Earth 911’s Business Resources Directory and the Environmental Yellow Pages.

Calculate the environmental benefits of composting.

For a discussion of waste and use reduction, see EPA’s Business Guide for Reducing Solid Waste and NRDC’s “Too Good to Throw Away.”

What Is Composting?

Composting is the controlled breakdown of organic waste (generally yard waste and certain types of food) into a useful byproduct that can serve as mulch and fertilizer. It is easy to do, and since it can reduce the volume of your company’s waste stream and reduce your need to buy mulch and fertilizer, composting can save money.

Additional Resources

• Master Composter
• EPA: Composting
• HowToCompost.org
• The Compost Guide
• Garden Guides: How to Compost
• StopWaste.org