Composting Facts

Facts About Composting

The average US. Household generates 650 lbs. of compostable
materials each year.
Backyard composting reduces organic materials going to landfills, thereby reducing the production of methane gas as harmful
greenhouse gas.
Compost improves the quality of the soil that you use in your lawn and garden.
Compost can enhance plants’ ability to respond to challenges from insects and diseases.
Composting can reduce homeowner trash at the curb by 25
percent to 40 percent.
Composting can also save you money on your water bills by
retaining soil moisture, reducing the need to water your garden
frequently.
An acre of soil can hold an additional 16,000 gallons of water for every 1 percent of organic material added.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency, Americans generated 33.4 million tons of yard trimmings and 34.7 million tons of food scraps in 2010, which amounts to 27 percent of the total municipal solid waste generated.
Eggshells can be crumbled and added to compost for a calcium source. The average American eats 250 eggs per year, or 76.5
billion eggs per year in the U.S., making eggshells a commonly available and valuable component for composting.
Composting saves money. Families reduce their garbage collection bills and can save the City of Manassas money on transporting and disposing of waste when organic materials are eliminated from the collection system.

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What is Composting?

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Composting Basics for Beginners

Balls Ford Road Composting Facility

Composting is the natural process of recycling organic matter, such as leaves and food scraps, into compost, which is valuable fertilizer that can enrich soil and plants.

Composting your organics:

Reduces the trash that goes to landfill by 28% or more
Helps to reduce methane emissions from landfills
Increases your soil’s water retention capacity, productivity, and resiliency
Saves on your water bill
Reduces food waste

Did you know ...
Each day in the United States approximately one pound of food per person is wasted. This equates to 103 million tons (81.4 billion pounds) of food waste generated in America in 2017, or between 30-40 percent of the food supply, according to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Aug 25, 2020