What is compost?

Compost is the sustainable, recycled, nutrient rich soil amendment product of decomposed organic waste.

What is composting?

Composting is the process by which organic material - yard scraps, food scraps, etc. - is made into soil, rather than thrown in the trash and eventually sent to a landfill. By composting, we are able to create more nutrient-rich soil and reduce our reliance on landfills, which are quickly filling up and emitting greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming.

Why should I compost?

• You like saving money. By composting food scraps and other compostable material, you greatly reduce the amount of material going into your trash dumpster. This means a reduction in frequency of trash pickups, saving you money.

• You care about Milwaukee’s future. Every year, Milwaukee produces enough organic material to fill multiple Miller Parks. Diverting compostable material places less pressure on our landfills, which are slowly running out of space. By contrast, composting takes nutrient-rich material, accelerates its breakdown, returns it to nature, helping to grow trees, gardens, and crops.

• You want to reduce your carbon footprint. Compost provides carbon sequestration. In other words, composting will help capture carbon dioxide, helping you reduce your carbon footprint. In contrast, organic material breaking down in a landfill produces Methane (a gas that has 25x the global warming potential of CO2 over a 100 year period). If you want to learn more, please visit the link to EPA website here.

What materials do you accept?

We can take all types of materials like food scraps and yard debris. For an up-to-date list of what can and cannot be composted through Compost Crusader, please check out our What You Can Compost page.

What happens to my compost materials?

We help turn ALL of our organic material back into soil at Blue Ribbon, a local farm in Caledonia, WI, where it is processed for 4 - 6 months. After the process is complete, it is screened, and then sold by Compost Crusader as finished compost.

This sounds great! Can Compost Crusader pick up compostable material from my house?

If you are within the Curbside Collections Program in Shorewood, you may be eligible to enroll through the City’s collection program. If you’re outside of this area, please check our service areas here.

What about my place of business?

We currently service the larger Milwaukee area. Please give us a call to create a plan of action to help start composting.

Are other businesses really composting?

Yes! Our customer list is comprised of local restaurants, florists, breweries, schools, mid-sized businesses and large corporations. Everyone can compost! For additional details, please see our shortlist of highlighted customers here.

What happens if I put the wrong material in my bin?

Our drivers are trained to spot contamination and remove it from the compost stream. If contamination is noted during service our driver will remove the contaminant, and you will receive an email and a physical tag on your bin to let you know what was not compostable in your bin and why. If the contamination is severe, our driver may deem your bin unserviceable. If contamination is ongoing with no improvement, contamination fees may be assessed.

Can I purchase compost from you?

Yes! Please order here!

Can I share a bin with my neighbor?

We have no issue with bin sharing but will only accept payment from ONE person, which is the location where the bin is kept. Contamination issues and schedule changes will only be communicated to this one person.

Does Compost Crusaders provide signage materials for customers?

We provide PDF templates of signage that you can post in your school, restaurant, business, or any compost sites. Please download PDF templates here.

I love Compost Crusader’s mission! I really want to volunteer. Where can I sign up?

Thanks for believing in landfill diversion!. Drop us an email at events@compostcrusader.com to discuss potential volunteer opportunities.

What about a job? Are you hiring?

We are always looking for people who believe in landfill diversion and want to work for us. Drop us an email at info@compostcrusader.com to discuss potential job opportunities.