BACKYARD COMPOSTING

Public Services Division Codes Enforcement Office Solid Waste Office Ingredients/Directions for Composting Composting Facts Composting Council Neal Denton County and UT Extenuation Agent wdenton1@utk.edu Room 560, City County Building Main Office: 865-215-3557 Fax: 865-215-2933 Backyard composting reduces the amount of waste we put in our landfills and creates soil enriching materials for gardens and flower beds. What is compost? Compost is a mixture of residues of organic materials that have been piled, watered, and have undergone decomposition. Why is composting important? Since most yard waste and food products are easily degradable under the correct conditions, placing them in a landfill unnecessarily wastes space and money. Compost also benefits soils by serving as a soil conditioner which enriches soil and improves its structure. What can I compost? Materials such as: leaves, twigs, small branches, bark, straw, grass clippings, paper, manures (cow, chicken, goat, horse, pig, and sheep,) fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, and coffee grounds. Materials that should not be put in a compost pile include: meat, cheese, fatty foods, dog and cat manure, and plants with diseases. Ingredients/Directions for Composting What type of bin should I use? Composting is a natural process which will occur whether or not materials are in a bin. However, using a bin in your backyard will better contain materials. A compost bin can be as simple as a cylinder made from chicken wire or it can be a commercial unit. The Knoxville Recycling Coalition 525-9692 and the Knox County Solid Waste Office 215-5865 sell bins in limited number.