Compost FAQ's
What can I compost?
We compost using worms, so we can accept whatever the worms will eat. This includes veggies, fruits, plain grains, non-glossy paper products, and more. We DO NOT accept meat, dairy, greasy foods, or plastic. For a more complete list of what we do and do not accept, check out our full composting guide below.
Can I compost items labeled as "compostable plastics"? Can I use those "green bags" in my compost bucket?
Plant-based plastic, Biodegradable, Commercially Compostable, Compostable Plastic, etc...
There are a lot of words out there describing plastic that is intended to breakdown faster and by different mechanisms than regular plastic. For our purposes, please only use compostable plastics (including green bags) certified as "Backyard Compostable," look for the TUV certification. Commercially compostable plastics require temperatures over 200 °F to breakdown, our worm bins never get over 90 °F.
Plant-based plastic, Biodegradable, Commercially Compostable, Compostable Plastic, etc...
There are a lot of words out there describing plastic that is intended to breakdown faster and by different mechanisms than regular plastic. For our purposes, please only use compostable plastics (including green bags) certified as "Backyard Compostable," look for the TUV certification. Commercially compostable plastics require temperatures over 200 °F to breakdown, our worm bins never get over 90 °F.
Where are you located?
We are located in Anderson Township off of Sutton Road. If you select the dropoff option, we will give you our exact location. We do not advertise our address because we are a home business and do not currently have a storefront.
Am I in your range? Can I still compost with you if I am not?
Unfortunately, as of April 2024, we are currently not accepting compost members.
Can I use my own bucket for composting?
We switch out your bucket with a new, clean bucket at every pickup. We don't want to take your bucket, so we recommend using one of ours. However, you can feel free to use your bucket/container and dump it into one of ours before pickup or at dropoff.
If you sign up for our pilot Worm Hotel at 12 Sisters Farm, you are welcome to use your own bucket!
If you sign up for our pilot Worm Hotel at 12 Sisters Farm, you are welcome to use your own bucket!
Why is composting important? Doesn't food break down in a landfill?
Though food will break down in a landfill, it will not undergo the same process as food that is composted.
Food in a landfill breaks down in an anaerobic environment. The bacteria that break down the food in these oxygen-absent environments release methane. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. In 2019, 15% of U.S. methane emissions came from landfills. The emissions were equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 21.6 million passenger vehicles (EPA). By trashing food, we are also wasting a valuable resource for promoting soil health. Healthier soils are better able to withstand the extreme weather events of climate change and they contribute to healthier plant growth. Healthier plants can draw more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Composting Council). In the case of food crops, they can also produce higher yields.
By composting you are returning food back to the dirt, which we think is a no brainer! Compare the journey of food as landfill waste vs. worm-compost.
Though food will break down in a landfill, it will not undergo the same process as food that is composted.
Food in a landfill breaks down in an anaerobic environment. The bacteria that break down the food in these oxygen-absent environments release methane. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas. In 2019, 15% of U.S. methane emissions came from landfills. The emissions were equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions from 21.6 million passenger vehicles (EPA). By trashing food, we are also wasting a valuable resource for promoting soil health. Healthier soils are better able to withstand the extreme weather events of climate change and they contribute to healthier plant growth. Healthier plants can draw more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere (Composting Council). In the case of food crops, they can also produce higher yields.
By composting you are returning food back to the dirt, which we think is a no brainer! Compare the journey of food as landfill waste vs. worm-compost.
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What happens to the food waste I give to you?
100% of your food and paper waste is vermicomposted (eaten and pooped out by worms) in our backyard worm beds after being pre-composted. You can see pictures and learn more about our worm bed here: |
