Composting
In 2023, the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority began promoting Reduce Waste Tips to help residents with ideas beyond recycling for how to reduce waste going to the landfill. One of the Reduce Waste Tips is Composting. Below are just a few resources available for residents to begin composting either individually with backyard composting or through opportunities to promote community composting in their community.
Although the Monongalia County SWA believes composting is a valuable way to reduce waste, especially food waste, from going to the landfill, 48% of Monongalia County residents said they would be interested in having a Community Composting area in their neighborhood or in the county as we learned from the public opinion survey we conducted in 2024. Residents can read more outcomes in our 2024 Public Opinion Survey Results Reports.
In 2025, the Monongalia County SWA will be researching program ideas and classes to provide composting in the county. Subscribe to our e-newsletter and Follow Us to learn more about these opportunities!
Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority Community Composting Demonstration Site
with a Flower Garden and Pollinator Garden
In spring 2026, the Monongalia County Solid Waste Authority will begin developing a Community Compost Demonstration Site with a garden and pollinator garden.
The Community Compost Demonstration Site, with a garden and pollinator garden, will be located in the City of Westover Park.
Are you interested in participating?
We are finalizing details and making arrangements to get started and would like to invite Monongalila County residents to complete the Community Compost Demonstration Site Interest Form to learn of residents, and businesses, interested in volunteering or participating in this opportunity.
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The completion of the Interest Form is not a commitment by you to participate. It is to let us know you want to know more and then sign up later.
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We will email interested residents, and businesses, when we have our Community Compost Demonstration Site Information Session.
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The Information Session will provide more details and allow residents to ask questions to determine if they want to sign up to participate.
City of Westover residents have priority
Due to the Community Compost Demonstration Site being located in the City of Westover, we seek to first allow City of Westover residents, and businesses, to participate, in return of volunteering or participating, a limited number of residents will gain access to the compost and flowers as they become available.
Participation is limited
Due to the site being small, and because it is a demonstration site, not a large facility producing bulk quantity, the opportunities available to participate are limited.
Volunteer hours are required to benefit from the compost and flowers
Participants interested in the compost and/or flowers will need to volunteer hours with the composting or with the gardening.
How to keep up with updates?
To keep up on the most recent updates to our Community Compost Demonstration Site Subscribe to our E-newsletter.
Sponsors Welcome!
Please complete the Sponsor Interest Form if your organization would like to donate time or materials or contribute in other ways with our Community Compost Demonstration Site with flower garden and pollinator garden.
City of Westover Park location of Monongalia County SWA's Community Composting Demonstration site.
Thank you to our Supporters!
Composting for Beginners and Community Composting
WVU Extension Composting for Beginners
WVU Extension has a Composting for Beginners article to help you get started and introduce you to composting. In addition, you'll find other resources to learn more about gardening and soil. There is a link to find your Extension County Office where you will find excellent agents and staff to help you.
Learn more by visiting WVU Extension Composting for Beginners
Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR) Home and Community Composting
The Institute for Local Self Reliance (ILSR) has an abundant and variety of free composting information. From Home Composting Basics to Community Composting 101 Online Certificate Course to guides, resources, webinars and more! Subscribe to their ILSR's Flagship Newsletter to learn about opportunities including when there are discounts to the trainings.
Learn more by visiting ILSR Community Composters
Composting for Educators
TeachEngineering Composting
TeachEngineering provides free composting hands-on activity as part of their 3RC (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Compost) section in their Waste & Recycling Curriculum.
Residents can find TeachEngineering under our Youth Resources tab with other Environmental Resources for Youth.
Learn more by visiting TE Waste & Recycling Unit
Let's Go Compost
Let's Go Compost provides free composting curriculum to educators and Girl Scouts Who Compost Program materials to Troop leaders which is guided by their K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math (“STEAM”) Classroom Composting program and with a focus on reducing food waste.
Learn more by visiting Let's Go Compost
More coming soon!
Check back or Subscribe to our E-newsletter for Updates and Program information as it becomes available.
