COMPOST INTAKE

Preventing new greenhouse gas emissions is an integral part of the fight against climate change, and organics recycling is one of the easiest ways to further those efforts.

LANDFILL DIVERSION

It is estimated that up to 65% of all solid waste that enters in to landfills can be composted! The USDA and EPA are working to achieve a 50% reduction in landfilled organics by 2030. Reducing the input of these organic materials into landfills results in fewer greenhouse gases being released into the atmosphere.

LOCAL SUPPLY CHAIN

Transporting heavy organic materials from the curb to a transfer station and then to a licensed landfill can result in unnecessary vehicle emissions. Local is better! Eliminating these transportation costs through backyard or local composting has a significant impact on new fuel consumption and the subsequent effects of greenhouse gases.

COMPOST OUTPUT

When you incorporate finished compost in our soils you are improving the health and viability of the plants within those soils; this is when the benefits to our climate really take off!

CARBON SEQUESTRATION

Healthy soils amended with compost enable plants to capture carbon from the atmosphere and store it safely in the ground. Recent studies from UC Davis have shown that when compost is added to the soil, benefits such as improved soil structure, nutrient availability, porosity, and drainage, can be seen for the next 25 years. Creating conditions for plants to retain as much carbon in the ground as possible is an important way to combat climate change.

FEWER SYNTHETIC SOIL AMENDMENTS

Using compost helps suppress weeds and creates healthier plants, reducing the need for fertilizers, herbicides, or fungicides. Not only does this lead to a reduction in the resources used during the production and transportation of these products, fewer synthetic amendments helps prevents harmful long term effects on our systems. By minimizing the leaching of these products into our soil and water systems we are allowing plants to thrive and return to their natural life cycle.

REDUCTION OF SOIL CONTAMINANTS

Compost has the ability to bind heavy metals and other contaminants and can be used as a filter media for storm-water treatment. Additionally, microbes found in compost are able to degrade some toxic organic compounds including petroleum and is vital to bioremediation and wetland restoration.

REDUCTION IN WATER AND ELECTRICITY

Compost can benefit your soils by better regulating the moisture content and water usage of your plants, thereby reducing the amount of manual watering, especially in concentrated turf area such as golf courses and municipal parks. Lawns and parks amended with compost tend to be more tolerant of drought in the dryer months and maintain better drainage in the wet months. This benefit extends to electricity by generally reducing energy consumption and preventing additional greenhouse gases from entering the atmosphere.