Composting - General Information

Organic matter such as yard and food wastes comprises 23% of the waste generated in the United States. Composting is an effective, inexpensive, and natural way to handle this organic waste. With many of Maryland's jurisdictions banning yard wastes, composting is an important part of Maryland's waste management strategy.

What is Composting?

• Composting is the process by which organic matter is biodegraded to a soil-like condition called compost or humus. Composting works best with a 2:1 Green/Brown ratio:
• "Greens" are the source of nitrogen and include items such as grass clippings, almost all food waste, old plants, wilted flowers, coffee grounds, tea leaves, and manure;
• "Browns" are the source of carbon and include items such as leaves, hay, straw, wood chips, sawdust, chipped brush, and shredded newspapers.
• DO NOT use meat, fish, bones, dairy foods, fats, and oil or grease when composting because they smell, attract pests, and retard the biological process that converts the organic material to compost.
• When organics are composted, they become natural soil additives for use on lawns, gardens, and potting soil. As a soil amendment or mulch, compost adds essential nutrients to the soil, improves soil texture, moderates temperatures, and increases the ability of the soil to absorb air and water. It also suppresses weed growth, decreases erosion, and reduces the need to apply commercial soil additives, thereby saving you money.

Resources for More Information

For further information on composting contact:

•      Maryland Department of Agriculture
•      University of Maryland
•      United States Environmental Protection Agency
•      United States Composting Council
•      Master Composters
•      Mid-Atlantic Composting Directory
•      New Rules Project     
•      Recycling and Environmental Action Planning Society
•      Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments Organics Task Force
•      County Recycling Office (residential)
•      Building Your Own Composting Pile (residential)
•      Build a Worm Farm (residential)
•      Backyard Composting - University of Maryland Home and Garden Information Center (residential)

Please direct questions or comments to: 

•      MD Department of the Environment Permitting Guide
•      MD Department of Agriculture Regulations -- State Chemist bontoyWR@mda.state.md.us, 410-841-2721
       or by fax at 410-841-2740
•      Solid Waste Composting -- MD Department of Environment Solid Waste Operations Division 410-537-3318
•      Natural Wood Waste Composting -- MD Department of Environment Solid Waste Operations Division
       410-537-3318
•      Sewage Sludge -- MD Department of Environment Nutrient Resources Division 410-537-3375
•      Prior to the Start of Food Composting Operations -- MD Department of the Environment Solid Waste Program
       410-537-3318
•      Stormwater Discharges -- MD Department of the Environment Compliance Program 410-537-3510
•      Groundwater Discharges -- MD Department of the Environment Groundwater Permits Division 410-537-3778
•      Discharge Permit General Information
•      Refuse Disposal Permit -- MD Department of the Environment Solid Waste Program 410-537-3318