Compost Resources
Below you will find a list links providing information on a variety of topics. These materials may be helpful to you in developing your programs.
(All links below are from reputable sources. However, the majority of backyard compost bins/piles do not reach hot enough temperatures (130+ degrees F/55+ degrees C) to kill weed seed or salmonella and ecoli, so caution should be used when composting materials such as dairy products, meats, manures, weeds with seeds or diseased plants.)
USEPA
This is a great place to begin your search for information. It’s an introductory explanation on creating a compost pile in your backyard or indoors, depending on space: http://www2.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
This link looks at how you can reduce the impact of wasted food by composting https://www.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/reducing-impact-wasted-food-feeding-soil-and-composting
This link examines the basics of composting with worms, or vermicomposting: http://www2.epa.gov/sustainable-management-food/types-composting-and-understanding-process#vermi
Sustainable-Management-Food
Reducing Food Waste at Home
Organics Collection Programs
City of Austin Texas Residential Organics Collection program
CalRecycles Organics Toolkit
Center for EcoTechnology Toolkit
Eureka Prevent Wasted Food
Georgia Residential Source Separated Organics Collection Toolkit, State of Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs and the Georgia Recycling Coalition
Hennepin County School recycling
City of Madison Wisconsin Residential Organics Collection Program
City of Seattle Organics Collection Program – multiple program pieces
Food and Yard waste
Environment and Conservation
Business/Commercial
Apartment/Condo Owners
City of Wayzata, Minnesota Residential Organics Collection Program
Home Composting
(All links below are from reputable sources. However, the majority of backyard compost bins/piles do not reach hot enough temperatures (130+ degrees F/55+ degrees C) to kill weed seed or salmonella and ecoli, so caution should be used when composting materials such as dairy products, meats, manures, weeds with seeds or diseased plants.)
Creating the Best At-Home Composting System
Composting At Home – How To Make Your Own Compost Heap
A Homeowner's Guide to Composting
Backyard Composting
DIY Compost Sifter
What can be Composted: 40+ items to compost or avoid
Guide To Composting At Home
Composting Guide for Beginners
Composting at Home
Cornell Small Scale Composting
COMSOL Blog
US Insurance Agents – An excellent collection of information on backyard composting.
EcoCycle Backyard Composting
Quiet Hut Home Composting
Composting for beginners: How-to, and why you should start composting
A Complete Guide to Going Green at Home in 2021
Creating the Best At-Home Composting System
Backyard Composting with Ginny Black
Backyard Composting Resources from The Minnesota Composting Council
Composting At Home – How To Make Your Own Compost Heap
Composting Guide for Beginners
University of Wisconsin-Madison: The Art and Science of Composting By Dr. Leslie Cooperband
Environmental Home Remodeling: Recycling and Composting
Composting 101 Basics – Backyard Composting (GardenForkTV)
The Ultimate Guide to Composting
Another Short History of Composting
How to Start Composting at Home
How To Compost: A Definitive Guide | Yuzu Magazine
Gardening
A Beginners Guide to Gardening
Beginner’s Guide to Basic Gardening
Coffee Grounds in Garden
Composting With Coffee Grounds – Good For Plants or Just a Fad?
25 Incredible Benefits of Gardening
49+ Amazing Hacks For Container Gardening
Home composting videos
Easy Backyard Composting
How to make a compost bin
Wire Bin
Pallet Bin
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting a Guide to Getting Started
Compost Collaborative Resource page
Other Composting Options
Composting Toilets: A Step Towards A Greener WORLD!!
Increasing the OM in the Soil
Composting for Kids - PDF Download
Where to Donate Food When You Move
Community-Scale Composting Systems
The above links are not sanction by the CREF, but are intended to give you “how to” ideas. A search of the internet will give many more ideas.