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N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources

NC Department of Environment and Natural Resources
Environmental Assistance and Outreach - Composting

Environmental Assistance and Outreach

Composting: Organics RecyclingComposting Logo
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For questions regarding Organics Recycling contact:
919-707-8123

ncbiomasstrader logo

N.C. Biomass Trader is a marketplace for biomass, bio-based feedstocks, and bio-based energy products and fuels.

Upcoming Events!

U.S./NC Composting Council's Compost Operator Training Course
September 16-20, 2013
For more information click here

NCSU's 14th Vermiculture Conference
October 26-27, 2013
For more information click here
Composting 101
Compost is the product resulting from the controlled biological decomposition of organic material that has been sanitized through the generation of heat and stabilized to the point that it is beneficial to plant growth. Compost bears little physical resemblance to the raw material from which it originated. Compost is an organic matter source that has the unique ability to improve the chemical, physical and biological characteristics of soils or growing media. It contains plant nutrients but is typically not characterized as a fertilizer. Click here for more.
Commercial Composting
Organic material makes up about 60 percent of North Carolina's waste stream and produces greenhouse gases as it decays. These materials include paper, wood, yard debris, food residuals and industrial and municipal sludges. Commercial composters work with waste haulers and organic waste generators to provide an alternative to landfills, leading to a reduction in the generator's waste management costs. The material is diverted to a composting facility where it can be recycled into soil amendments and other value-added products. Click here for more.
Vermicomposting
Vermicomposting utilizes earthworms and mircroorganisms to convert organic waste into nutrient-rich humus-like material known as vermicompost (worm castings). Click here for more.
Economic Development
More than 500 companies call recycling their primary business activity. North Carolina recycling businesses add new jobs at six times the rate of all private industry. Four out of five recycling companies are small businesses with average annual revenues of $1.1 million. Click here for more.
Composting Grants
Community Development Block Grants provides funds to local government at the municipal or county level to help fund specific businesses that will create new jobs for low or moderate-income people. Organics Recycling Waste Grants - The purpose of these grants is to reduce the flow of organic wastes to disposal facilities to help North Carolina achieve its 40 percent solid waste reduction goal. Viable methods to reduce that flow include source reduction, reuse, recycling, composting and increasing demand for recycled organic materials. Both public and private (profit and nonprofit) sector applicants are eligible for funding. For more information about these grants, contact  at 919-707-8123. Recycling Business Development Grants and Community Waste Reduction and Recycling Grants are used to make grants in support of waste reduction efforts. Click here for more.
Presentations

For a list of presentations on composting click here.

Publications

For a list of publications on composting click here.

Links
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N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach

N.C. Division of Environmental Assistance and Outreach • Mailing Address: 1639 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1639 
• Physical Address: 217 W. Jones Street, Raleigh, NC 27603 • Toll Free: (877) 623-6748
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