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Meat, Dairy and Bones in Compost- Oh My!

October 15th, 2024

Meat, Dairy and Bones in Compost- Oh My!

We Can Accept Meat, Bones, Dairy, and Compostable Service wares in Our Compost

At Renuable, we go beyond traditional composting methods by using thermophilic composting, a specialized process that allows us to accept materials most composting systems can’t handle— like meat, bones, dairy, and compostable serviceware.

What Is Thermophilic Composting?

Thermophilic composting involves maintaining high temperatures throughout the active decomposition process. To support this, we introduce oxygen into the compost windrows using specialized equipment like aeration systems and tractors. This not only boosts microbial diversity and keeps them alive and happy, but also diffuses the heat throughout the entire windrow.

We carefully monitor our piles through each step of the process to ensure that the temperatures are 131°F or higher for 15 days. Maintenance of this temperature helps fully break down tough-to-compost materials, such as bones, meat, and dairy. This high-temperature method also kills harmful pathogens such as E.Coli and Salmonella, ensuring a safe, nutrient-rich final product.

Why Most Composting Methods Can’t Handle These Materials

In most backyard or small-scale compost systems, the temperatures are too low to effectively break down proteins, fats, and large organic materials like bones. These systems also struggle to decompose compostable serviceware like cups and plates, which often need prolonged heat exposure to break down completely. Without high temperatures, pathogens and contaminants can survive, making the compost potentially unsafe, and likely encouraging pests and disease vectors to call the compost piles "home."

The Benefits of Our Composting Method

By using thermophilic composting, we can: Break down materials that most composters can’t, including meat, bones, dairy, and compostable products. Guarantee pathogen-free compost: Maintaining our piles at 131°F or above ensures that harmful bacteria and pathogens are killed during the process. Create a nutrient-rich product: The final compost is diverse in organic matter, contributing to healthier soils for gardening, landscaping, and agriculture.

By choosing Renuable for your composting needs— whether you have tricky materials like meat and bones or simply want to contribute to a greener planet, we’ve got you covered with our advanced composting method!