Organic Materials Management
Compost and Mulch
Composting, nature's own way of recycling, is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food waste. A wide range of materials may be composted, but they must consist of principally organic components (i.e. carbon-containing remnants or residues of life processes).
Compost is the soil amendment product that results from proper composting. Whether it's done on site, at the point of waste generation or in a large-scale, centralized facility, composting helps to keep the high volume of organic material out of landfills and turns it into a useful product.
On-site composting reduces the cost of hauling materials and is generally exempted from solid waste regulations. Large scale facilities can handle more material and potentially produce a more consistent product, but may be faced with regulatory issues.
Below are links to information for specific audiences and their needs related to compost and mulch.
- Homeowner Resources
- Producers of Compost and Mulch
- Government Agencies: Procurement
- Compost Demonstration Projects
- Additional Resources
Homeowner Resources
- Compost--What Is It?
- Residential Backyard Composting
- Compost Pile Residents
- Compost Tea
- Grasscycling
- GreenScapes--Environmentally Friendly Landscaping (U.S. EPA site)
- Landscaper's Guide
- Worm Composting
- Xeriscaping
Producers of Compost and Mulch
- Compost and Mulch Producers
- Permits and Regulations
- Facility Operation Resources
- Marketing
- Infrastructure Survey
- Locating Compost and Mulch Facilities
- Links
Government Agencies: Procurement
- Government Procurement of Compost and Mulch
- Food Scrap Management
- Locating Compost and Mulch Facilities
Compost Demonstration Projects
Additional Resources
Organic Materials Management http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/ Contacts: http://www.ciwmb.ca.gov/Organics/Contacts.htm