Composting & Organics Resources

Yard Waste/Home Composting: Composting is the natural recycling process that you can begin at home with leaves, grass clippings, and other lawn and garden waste. Natural microorganisms from the ground interact with compost materials to help break down plant matter. Proper moisture, air and temperature aid these natural microorganisms in their work. Naturally fortified with nutrients, the finished compost is ready for use as an organic plant food and soil amendment in as little as 4-5 weeks.

Getting Started:

1. Gather green and brown yard waste.
2. In a heap or bin, mix two parts brown yard waste with one part green yard waste.
3. Adding a small amount of garden soil and chopping up leaves before mixing them into the pile will speed the composting process.
4. Add water so the compost is kept as moist as a rung-out sponge.
5. Turn the pile every week. This is not necessary, but will speed the process.
6. When the ingredients are black and no longer recognizable you have finished compost. This will take between four weeks to a year depending on the frequency of turning and how well you maintain the moisture of the pile.
7. Fruits and vegetable scraps can also be added to your compost pile.

Home Composting Resources
Composting, It's Recycling Naturally-An Online UW-Extension Presentation
Home Composting: Reap a Heap of Benefits
Home Composting: Reap a Heap of Benefits (Spanish version)
Home Composting: Reap a Heap of Benefits (Hmong version)
How Composting Works
Alameda County Waste Management Authority: Home Composting
California Integrated Waste Management Board
Site for Worm Composting Resources
Master Composter Rolling Compost Bin: Recycle a Wooden Cable Spool
UW-Extension SHWEC Master Composter Program
Florida's Online Composting Center
Master Composter.com

Compost Research
WasteNOT-Organics - University of Wisconsin
UW-Extension SHWEC (Search Publications for Compost)
Cornell Waste Management Institute
Composting at Penn State
BioCycle

Compost Associations and Organizations
US Composting Council
Composting Council of Canada
WasteCap Wisconsin

Compost Regulation
DNR Stormwater Management Tech Standard S100 Compost
EPA Compost
EPA Stormwater Menu of BMPs (Search for Compost)

Food Recovery
Waste Not/ WantNot EPA Food Recovery Guide