EarthFuel: Lincoln’s City Compost

Do you subscribe to yard waste collection in Lincoln? If not, you can call your garbage collector to add yard waste removal to your services! This service is offered from April 1 - November 30 because this is when leaves and grass are banned from going into the landfill due to state regulations.

What happens to your yard waste?

Once your yard waste has been picked up at the curb, it arrives at the Bluff Road Solid Waste Management Facility at 6001 Bluff Road. This is where the Bluff Road Composting facility takes yard waste and makes it into EarthFuel compost! Operators at this facility use a recipe to build a long row called a windrow. With the right recipe of yard waste (leaves, grass, and mulch), moisture, and turning the pile, many small microbes will start to break down the yard waste into nutrient-rich organic matter. This organic matter is dark in color, has a rich, earthy smell, and is soil-like in texture.

Once it reaches this stage, the organic matter is tested by a lab to make sure it has achieved a stable form to use in gardens, lawns, or general planning efforts.

What really is EarthFuel compost?

Well, it’s not dirt, soil, or mulch. Compost is actually a soil additive that’s full of organic matter. When it’s mixed with soil it creates a nutrient rich amendment that keeps your landscape healthy. The organic matter in the compost helps to feed the small organisms that live inside your soil. These small organisms can then produce substances that bind soil particles together, creating structures called aggregates. The aggregates create more airspace in your soil structure allowing for more water retention, more microorganism activity, deeper plant roots, and reduced risk for plant disease. Adding compost full of organic matter helps keep your plants and soils healthy.

You can use EarthFuel compost in many different locations such as in your garden, flowerbed, or over the top of your yard. Always make sure to mix your compost with existing soil. Compost is a soil additive and not a soil replacement.

If you only use compost, it’s like you’re feeding your soil too much of a good thing — and the plants and soil can become sick. When compost is added to your landscaping within a mixture, it helps to increase fertility, water infiltration, and helps to save you money as you won’t need to use as many fertilizers or pesticides.

EarthFuel compost may be obtained for no cost at the North 48th Street Transfer Station (5101 North 48th Street). This site is only for small vehicles and/or trailers that do not exceed 60 square feet of cargo area. The material is available on a first come, first served basis. Individuals must self-load the compost by hand. To purchase larger quantities of EarthFuel compost, visit the Bluff Road Solid Waste Management Facility. The cargo area must be larger than 60 square feet to be purchased and loaded at this facility. Call 402-441-8215 for additional questions and availability.

If you’d like more information or help with figuring out how to use EarthFuel compost, you can access our website at lincoln. ne.gov/compost. For additional compost questions, you are always welcome to call our hotline at 402-441-8215.

We are EarthFuel. Your local compost, landscape, and top-layer-of-the-earth educators!