Facts About Composting

Facts And Figures

• Composting reduces CO2 emissions!

• Compost doesn't have to be stinky: if it is stinky then it most likely is too wet!

• Composting first started around 12,000 years ago!

• President Washington was interested in composting!

• During the composting process the food scraps can reach temperatures of 170 degrees Fahrenheit if done in a compost facility. If you do it at home it will be cooler, with temperatures peaking around 130 Fahrenheit.

• There are billions of microorganisms per gram of compost.

• Compost is much better than fertilizers, for the environment and your lawn. It has more nutrients than fertilizers.

• Animals make compost too: the Australian bush turkey makes compost pile to lay its eggs

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources on composting:

• EPA: Facts & Figures

• EPA: Composting Food Scraps In Your Community

• EPA: Composting At Home

• New York State DEC

• New York State Association for Reduction, Reuse and Recycling

• Natural Resources Defense Council: Composting 101

• The Role of Bacteria in Compost