Home Composting

What is composting?
Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic matter. This solid waste management technique utilizes natural processes to convert materials such as kitchen scraps and yard debris into humus, or compost. The final product is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to improve and maintain lawns, gardens, shrubs, trees and houseplants.

Why compost?

• Diverts organic materials from the landfill
• Saves money
• Provides nutrient-rich soil amendment, therefore reducing the need for chemical fertilizers
• Completes the cycle of nutrients through the environment
• Saves fossil fuels by reducing the need for transportation of solid waste
• Prevents the emission of greenhouse gases
• Using finished compost reduces soil loss and prevents some forms of plant disease
• Fun, easy, and educational for you and your family

Remember, through composting you help reduce the amount of trash you generate by keeping food scraps and yard waste out of your garbage can. This in turn reduces the amount of waste being sent to the landfill, saving you money and helping preserve our environment.  

Composting in Tompkins County

According to a 2001 survey, approximately 41% of Tompkins County households do some form of composting. In 2005, approximately 2200 tons of food waste and 3000 tons of yard waste were diverted from disposal  through home composting in Tompkins County. This is the equivalent to the weight of approximately 66,650 people (weighing 150 pounds).

What is Tompkins County Solid Waste doing to help county residents compost?

To help divert food scraps and yard waste from the landfill, Tompkins County Solid Waste sponsors the Compost Education Program at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County. The goal of this program is to encourage Tompkins County residents to compost food scraps and yard wastes. Through this program, county residents are offered a variety of services, including education at public events, classes, classroom presentations, demonstration sites, online fact sheets, Master Composter training, and public information provided through both a phone Rotline and an e-Rotline. In addition to these services, a Master Composter may be available to assist you in building a compost bin. For more information about the program, access to the services offered and details about upcoming events please visit the Compost Education Program homepage (site maintained by Tompkins County Cooperative Extension).

Did you know?

• Of the 210 million tons of trash generated in the US today, 56 million tons or 27% is recycled and composted, 16% is burned and 56% is buried in landfills.
• The average lawn can generate up to 8 tons of grass clippings each year. To learn more about grasscycling, please click here.
• Red worms can eat over half their body weight in food scraps a day. For more information, please visit the Compost Education Program website (site maintained by Tompkins County Cooperative Extension).
• About 2/3 of our trash is compostable! This includes paper, food scraps and yard waste.
• A compost pile can reach temperatures as high as 150 degrees Fahrenheit!