Composting is nature’s recycling. Composting is the process of breaking down organic material into a nutrient rich final product- compost. Compost is not the same as soil; it should be added to soil to make it healthier, improve its structure, and better hold water.

Composting food waste removes that material from the landfill, which helps to reduce methane emissions, save landfill space, and save on transportation costs and impacts. The 2024 Chatham County Waste Composition Study showed that about 21% of waste disposed of in the landfill through the Collection Centers was food waste. An additional 5% of material is compostable paper. If Chatham County residents compost, it could reduce the waste sent to landfills by about 25%.

Residents can compost at their own home or through the new food waste drop-off pilot program. Learn more about both- Composting at Home and Food Waste Drop-off.

Chatham County Solid Waste & Recycling offers composting classes a couple times a year. Classes will be listed here when information is available.

Chatham County Cooperative Extension also has composting classes throughout the year. SW&R and Cooperative Extension also pair up on classes from time-to-time. To learn more about the classes offered by Cooperative Extension, visit their website at https://chatham.ces.ncsu.edu/

If you would like to schedule a composting class at your church, club, neighborhood, etc. please contact Shannon Culpepper, Recycling and Education Specialist at shannon.culpepper@chathamcountync.gov or 919-545-7874.