Composting Facility

The goal of this project is to compost yard trim and food scraps locally, saving on processing and transportation costs. Benefits include keeping the material local, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and creating a beneficial soil amendment which reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces erosion, and increases water retention in soils.

Materials include yard trim such as leaves, grass clippings and brush; food scraps such as fruits, vegetables, meat, dairy, baked goods and BPI-certified compostable packaging (cups, plates, bowls, etc.) generated by County residents and collected by the County as part of our Feed The Green Bin food scrap collection program. 

The County is using a process manufactured and designed by Engineered Compost Systems. The AC Composter Aerated Static Pile system is a proven technology in wide use throughout the West Coast. A computer-controlled blower keeps the material saturated with oxygen, which accelerates decomposition and manages moisture levels. The cover system retains heat and high-nutrient materials while managing potential odors.

At this time, our Composting Facility can only accept food scraps and compostable material from County residents. Commercial food waste generators can contact Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) for assistance.

There is no national standard for “Organic” compost. Our compost is manufactured / recycled from natural living materials and water, without the addition of any chemicals. The chemical properties of our compost vary slightly through the seasons as the inputs we receive vary. The properties of are compost are relatively consistent and are identified within the current laboratory analysis. 

USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) encourages the use of compost as a soil amendment to grow organic produce. NOP regulates organic produce and defines what produce can use the term “Organic”. Inputs such as water, fertilizers, pesticides and compost are regulated by these rules, which dictate how they are made and from what, but do not specify any rules by which inputs may be called “Organic.” Thus there is no national standard for “organic” compost.

HoCoGro Compost is great to use to grow produce, organically or traditionally. We gladly work with organic farms and their certifiers to meet any of their documentation needs.

Yes. HoCoGro Compost, Mulch and topsoil are available for residential and commercial purchase at the Wood Waste Area.

We sell our products by the cubic yard; they are loose and not bagged. A cubic yard is equivalent to about 13 large bags of mulch which typically each contain 2 cubic feet. A cubic yard of mulch, spread 2 inches thick will cover a 10'x15' area. There are many free online calculators that may be able to help you estimate your needs.

Measurements:

• A truck with a 4 foot bed can hold 1/2 cubic yard
• A truck with a 6 foot bed can hold 1 cubic yard
• A truck with an 8 foot bed can hold 2 cubic yards
• 1 cubic yard is roughly 173 gallons
• A 1/2 cubic yard is 17 five-gallon buckets
• Paper lawn bags are 30 gallons...1/4 cubic yard would be 1.5 bags filled full (45 gallons)

Some contractors will deliver HoCoGro Compost, Mulch or Topsoil to residents’ homes. Prices vary by vendor. Please remember that the cost listed does not include the cost of the product.

Bag-It Days is a special promotion that the Bureau of Environmental Services conducts on occasion. Instead of the traditional bulk sales of our compost, mulch and blended topsoil, all of our products are sold by the bag/tub. This is to allow residents who want to use our HoCoGro products in smaller quantities than by the cubic yard.

Sign up for our recycling newsletter to be the first to know about upcoming Bag-It Days.

Contaminants and moisture. The exclusion of plastic yard trim bags has created a huge improvement to compost quality and reduction in waste. Litter at the site has been reduced significantly. However, many residents continue to include plastic garden waste in their yard trim which doesn't break down and in turn ends up as compost contamination. From a processing issue, dry compost gives the false sense of being finished and stabilized, only to reactivate when given moisture. The expanded facility and other equipment modifications have allowed us to better manage moisture.

Yes! We regularly schedule tours of the Composting Facility and our Residents' Convenience Center. Tours are typically scheduled Monday - Friday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Use the link below to request a tour of either facility or both!