A survey of 24 composting organizations found that they ranged in size from collecting 60-2,500 lbs of material per week. The majority collected under 1,000 lbs weekly. Most composting areas were under 750 square feet. Staffing consisted mainly of part-time employees and volunteers. Materials came from residential, commercial, and institutional sources. The biggest challenges reported were insurance coverage, restrictions on system size or type, and local/state regulations. Respondents said the most important resources would be a community compost policy roadmap, model ordinances, and information on permitting, licensing, and legal/policy issues.

1. COMPOST LAW & POLICY PROJECT
Survey Results

2. RESPONDENTS SUMMARY
• 24 total
• Types of organizations:
• 13 for-profit, eight nonprofit, three other (social cooperative, informal volunteer
group)
• 21 collecting and composting, two composting only, one support organization
• 5 bike haulers
• States include California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, New Jersey, New
York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Vermont,
Wisconsin
• Amount of material being collected each week ranges from 60 to 2,500 lbs.
• Majority are collecting under 1,000 lbs. weekly
• Range of 35 to 7,500 lbs. of material being received at site(s) each week
• Majority receive under 1,000 lbs. each week

3. SQUARE FOOTAGE OF COMPOSTING
AREA
Less than 300
sq. ft.
4 respondents
300 to 500 sq. ft.
5 respondents
More than
500 to 750
sq. ft.
4…
More than 750 sq.
ft.
10 respondents

4. TYPES OF WORKERS
7
13 13
6
0
2
4
6
8
10
12
14
Full-time employees Part-time employees Volunteers Other
NumberofRespondents
(24total)

5. DISTRIBUTION OF TYPES OF WORKERS
Volunteer only
6 respondents
Part-time only
3 respondents
Full-time only
2 respondents
Full-time and
part-time
3 respondents
Part-time and
volunteer
3 respondents
All
1 respondent
Other
6 respondents

6. MATERIAL GENERATORS
23
17
8
13
7
0
5
10
15
20
25
Residential Commercial Institutional On-site Other
NumberofRespondents
(24total)
Other includes:
• Farms
• Farmers markets
• Parties and events

7. NUMBER OF GENERATORS
One generator
2 respondents
Two generators
8 respondents
Three generators
7 respondents
Four generators
7 respondents

8. WORKERS AND GENERATORS
• Six organizations working with all four listed types (residential,
commercial, institutional, on-site)
• Four have full-time workers
• Two have part-time workers
• None are volunteer only
• One organization is residential only
• Has full-time, part-time, and volunteer workers
• Only organization with full-time employees that doesn’t receive material from
at least two types of generators

9. TYPES OF COMPOSTING SYSTEMS
USED
9
5
10
3
9
10
5
0 2 4 6 8 10 12
Windrows
In-vessel
Vermicomposting
Bokashi
3-bin system
Aerated static piles
Other
Number of Respondents
(23 total)

10. NUMBER OF COMPOSTING SYSTEM
TYPES USED
Not yet
composting
1 respondent
Six types
1 respondent
Four types
3 respondents
Three types
4 respondents
Two types
6 respondents
One type
9 respondents

11. TYPES OF MATERIALS HANDLED
24
20
10
14
17
12
7
5
6
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Fruit and vegetable scraps
Grains and other cooked foods
Meat, fish, and dairy
Yard trimmings/green waste
Paper bags or other paper products
Compostable plastic bags
Compostable plastic foodservice items & packaging
Molded fiber containers
Other
Number of Respondents
(24 total)

12. INSURANCE SUMMARY
• Only four respondents knew whether or not state or local policies
require insurance
• Approx. two-thirds have insurance
• Liability, vehicle, workers comp, disability
• Majority of those without insurance would like to have it

13. BIGGEST PROBLEMS FOR COMPOSTERS
1. Insurance coverage
2. Size or system type restrictions
3. Local regulations
4. State regulations
5. Permitting
6. Zoning
7. Compost sales/donations

14. BIGGEST PROBLEMS FOR HAULERS
1. Insurance coverage
2. Local regulations
3. State regulations
4. Commercial hauling
regulations/licensing
requirements
5. Permitting
6. Exclusive franchise
agreements/hauling contracts

15. 1. Enterprise structure
2. Licensing
3. A "Community Compost Policy
Roadmap"
4. Model ordinances
5. Compost site permitting
6. Tax exemptions
7. Leasing
8. Pro bono lawyers
9. Policy agenda for action
10. Webinars on legal and policy issues
11. Zoning
12. Contracts
13. A "Legal Guide to Community
Composting”
14. Hauling and transfer issues
15. Compost sales
MOST IMPORTANT RESOURCES AND
TOPICS