ECONOMICS

Compost manufacturing creates a myriad of economic opportunities and benefits. These include job creation (composting plants have been shown to create and sustain more jobs than other disposal sites such as landfills or waste-to-energy plants), reduced landfill costs on a local level, and reduced garbage fees for residents and businesses. Using compost helps reduce production costs for farmers. They can spend less money on fertilizers, pesticides and irrigation and realize savings that leave them with more money to pour into expanding their production capacities. In addition, higher yields have been shown for fields that use compost. Compost manufacturing transforms trash into a valuable resource that will generate more revenue and food, and lead to a healthier environment. This page is intended to provide information and resources surrounding the economic impacts of compost manufacturing and use.

Financing Industrial Composting Facilities: Challenges and Opportunities

This newly released U.S. Composting Council white paper identifies grant funding and other financing mechanisms for the growing U.S. compost manufacturing industry and makes recommendations for entrepreneurs and policymakers on expanding and using these methods.