What is compost?

Compost is the product manufactured through the controlled aerobic, biological decomposition of biodegradable materials. The product has undergone mesophilic and thermophilic temperatures, which significantly reduces the viability of pathogens and weed seeds (in accordance with EPA 40 CFR 503 standards) and stabilizes the carbon such that it is beneficial to plant growth. Compost is typically used as a soil amendment, but may also contribute plant nutrients. (AAPFCO definition, official 2018)  Finished compost is typically screened to reduce its particle size, to improve soil incorporation. (Learn more here at USCC)

Are you open on Holidays?

We are closed on New Year’s Day, Easter Sunday, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are open all other days of the year.

What hours are you open?

We are open Monday - Saturday from 6:30am to 4:00pm and Sunday from 8:00am to 4:00pm.

What is organic material suitable for composting? 

Please see our Accepted Materials page to learn more!

How does Northern Recycling make compost?

Northern Recycling takes green waste (yard trimmings) and food waste from the region and runs it through a state of the art pre-processing line. This processing line remove contamination and reduces the size of material using a piece of equipment that shreds and grinds. The pre-processed material is loaded in the CASP facility for active composting and once complete is moved to curing. After approximately 60-80 days the product is screened to remove any large items (such as wood) and any contamination (such as a plastic bag) that made its way thought the initial processing.

What certifications does Northern Recycling have?

Our compost is listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production, approved as an Organic Input Fertilizing Material by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), and certified with the United States Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance.

Why use compost?

We turn your yard trimmings and other organic material into compost! Enrich your soil naturally, prevent erosion, conserve water, close the loop, save money, and fight climate change with local compost! It’s perfect for farms, vineyards, gardens, yards, and landscaping projects. The composting process encourages the production of beneficial micro-organisms (mainly bacteria and fungi) which in turn break down organic matter to create humus. Humus – a rich nutrient-filled material – increases the nutrient content in soils. Compost has also been shown to suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, and promote higher yields of agricultural crops.

It helps decrease GHG emmisons! Composting significantly decreases greenhouse gas emissions. The nutrients from organic materials are sent back into the earth as natural soil enhancers instead of to a landfill, where they sit forever, giving off methane gas (a greenhouse gas at least 30 times as potent as carbon dioxide). Landfill operators claim to capture methane, but studies show that a significant percentage is still escaping into the atmosphere and heating the planet. Instead, the organic compost produced from yardwaste and other organics is used at many local gardens, farms, and vineyards, decreasing the need for synthetic fertilizers, conserving water, saving unnecessary transportation energy, and closing the loop locally and sustainably. Our Compost is OMRI listed & CDFA approved for use in organic production and certified with the US Composting Council’s Seal of Testing Assurance.

How is the compost tested and what is in the lab analysis?

The final compost is tested according TMECC (Test Methods for the Examination of Composting and Compost) by a certified laboratory according to US Composting Council’s STA program.  Compost quality is evaluated through an independent laboratory analysis for parameters such as carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio, organic matter content, salinity total nitrogen, total phosphorus, stability, phytotoxicity, pH, maturity, boron, chloride, sodium, particle sizes, heavy metal concentration, and pathogen concentrations  and other parameters before it is provided to customers. For additional information about testing parameters see link.    

Compost that can be sold or otherwise provided to customers must meet California standard for every pile and to attain a temperature of 131 degree Fahrenheit (55 degree Celsius) or higher, and maintain that temperature for at least 3 days.

How much is it to buy Compost?

Please check out our Products page for pricing!

What payments do you accept?

Currently, we only accept debit/credit cards from Visa and Mastercard. We apologize for any inconvenience.

Does Northern Recycling deliver?

Please check out our Products page for delivery information!

Where do I drop off and pick up?

When you arrive the scale house attendant will direct and assist you.

What happens to what you put in your green waste/organics toter?

After collection by the hauler, the green waste/organic waste is brought to our facility. This process is explained more here.

What temperature does the composting material need to reach? 

To complete the composting process, the material must reach 131 degree Fahrenheit (55 degree Celsius) 3 days this is required by the Process to Further Reduce Pathogens (PFRP).