What is Composting?
About Composting
Composting is nature's way of recycling food and yard waste.
It is a process that naturally occurs when organic materials
are returned to the soil through decomposition
Learn more about Backyard Composting
from our basic
composting instructions.
Learn LOTS more: Download the complete booklet, Dirt on Composting.
Questions about composting? Email us!
Upcoming Compost Classes:
- Worms Eat Our
Garbage!
Thursday, May 22, 3-4 p.m. at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Age level: All ages
Call 862-8539 to register with the Nature Center
Learn about worm bin composting, hear a worm story, the chance to pick up and hold some of our small, hard working decomposers! Leader: Julie Berbiglia, Metro Beautification - The Dirt on
Composting
Thursday, May 29, 12-1 p.m. at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center
Age level: All ages
Call 862-8539 to register with the Nature Center
Learn the basics of home composting and get your questions answered from a Master Composter. Leader: Julie Berbiglia, Metro Beautification
Visit our Backyard Composting Demonstration Site!
Do you love your compost or compost bin? Send us a photo and description!
How
can I purchase a compost bin?
Metro Beautification is selling the Earth Machine
compost bin at cost for $40. This 80-gallon capacity
bin is made of recycled plastic.
The Green Cone Digester 
Perfect for anyone who wants to dispose of their food scraps
in their own yard, but doesn't want to make compost. This is
a food scrap digester. Food waste placed in the
Green Cone is digested by naturally occurring microbes and
decomposers found in the soil. This composter accepts ALL FOOD
WASTE, including meat and bones! The photo shows the Green
Cone placed in a raised bed. See
how the Green Cone works.
Cost is $100.
How
hot's your pile?"
find out by using a compost thermometer! Place
the 20” thermometer stem into your compost pile to find
out if it is in the steady (80-100 degrees F), active (100 –
130 degrees F) or hot (130 – 160 degrees F) zone! Comes
with a composting guide to help you interpret the temperature
readings. Sold at cost, $10.
Need
a way to collect kitchen scraps?
Plastic kitchen container available for $10.
Compost
bins & Thermometers & Kitchen Containers may be purchased
at the Omohundro
Convenience Center
1019
Omohundro Place, Nashville, TN 37210
(click on name for a map)
Hours: Tues. - Sat., 8:30am - 4:30p.m.
Need directions? call 880-1955
Payment may be made in cash or by check (payable to Metro Public Works)
Click here for information on School Composting
- Compost bins for education: Schools are eligible to receive free and/or loaner compost bins.
- Worm bins for education: Schools may apply for a loaner
worm bin.
MASTER COMPOSTER CLASS !
Metro Beautification & Environment Commission, a division of Metro Public Works offers the Master Composter Class each fall. The 2007 class is full. EMAIL US to be placed on the notification list for future classes.
The Master Composter Class covers home composting methods, soil and composting science, household hazardous waste reduction through composting and organic gardening, and odd composting from around the world. A field trip at the end of the 7-week long class will give participants an up close look at large scale composting.