Active compost in the thermophilic stage. Microbes that break down organic matter release heat as byproduct of their metabolic process.

Did you know?

  • 24% of municipal garbage is food waste (EPA)

  • Jefferson County generates around 48 million pounds over garbage every year! Roughly 11.5 million pounds of that garbage is food waste

  • Our garbage is sent via truck and rail to Roosevelt Landfill, 352 miles from Port Townsend

  • 58% of the methane from landfills comes from food waste (EPA)

  • Landfills are considered the third largest source of human-caused methane emissions in the U.S., responsible for 14.3% of methane in 2021 (EPA)

  • The average family of four in the US spends $3,000 annually on food that does not get eaten

Benefits of using compost

Compost improves soil structure, porosity, and moisture retention, fostering diverse microbial communities that support nutrient cycling and plant resilience. By enriching degraded soils, compost enables habitat restoration, facilitating native vegetation growth and erosion control. It reduces soil contamination by binding heavy metals and neutralizing pH imbalances, improving ecosystem recovery in postindustrial sites and urban areas. Enhanced soil biology further supports pollinators, soil fauna, and wildlife dependent on healthy vegetation, strengthening biodiversity.

Solutions and resources for food waste reduction