Compost Products
Compost products and services are available at the Recycling Center Main Office during the posted office hours. All purchases must be paid for prior to loading. Compost is created from incoming yard materials that are blended, turned and monitored until they reach maturity for use as a compost. Wood mulch is created from incoming brush. Shredded leaf mulch is made from leaves collected during the fall curbside pickup.
Screened Compost
- $20.00 per cubic yard
- $170.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered within 10miles
- $205.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered outside of 10miles
Finished Compost (not screened)
- $5.00 per cubic yard
- $80.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered within 10miles
- $115.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered outside of 10miles
Wood Mulch
- $15.00 per cubic yard
- $140.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered within 10miles
- $175.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered outside of 10miles
Shredded Leaf Mulch
- $12.00 per cubic yard
- $122.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered within 10miles
- $157.00 per 6 cubic yards delivered outside of 10miles
Screened Compost
This compost is available for $20.00 per cubic yard at the Recycling Center Main Office. Sifted compost has been run through a screen to remove large clumps and debris. Most people purchase compost to make new garden beds, condition the soil in old garden beds, add to potted plant mix, to seed lawns or as cover for filled areas. Screened compost must be purchased at the Recycling Center Main Office during normal operating hours prior to loading. Loading is generally available Monday-Friday 7:30am to 3:30pm only. There are a number of benefits to using sifted compost including:
- it contains more nutrients than topsoil
- it releases nutrients slowly as organic material breaks down
- it helps sandy soil retain moisture
- it helps loosen and break up clay soils
- it contains few weed seeds as these are typically destroyed during the composting process
Finished (non-screened) Compost
This compost is available for $5.00 per cubic yard at the Basswood Compost site. Finished compost has not been screened and contains large clumps and debris. Most people use finished compost as fill for ditches or low areas, especially where there will be another groundcover and plantings.
Wood Mulch
Wood Mulch is available for $15.00 per cubic yard the Basswood Compost Site. Most people purchase wood mulch for a groundcover around trees, shrubs, landscaped areas, and playgrounds. Some people use our wood mulch as a filler in these projects and then cover them with more expensive colored woodchips. Using a mulch can be beneficial in a number of ways:
- it helps retain moisture in the soil
- it helps provide nutrients and organic matter as they deteriorate over time
- it can provide some protection from freezing
- it deters the growth of weeds
- it provides a border that helps simplify lawn care
- it can help slow soil erosion
Wood mulch must be purchased at the Recycling Center Main Office during normal operating hours prior to loading.
Shredded Leaf Mulch
Shredded Leaf Mulch is available for $12.00 per cubic yard the Basswood Compost Site. Shredded Leaf Mulch can be a useful material for gardeners who are looking for an alternative to straw or wood mulch for protecting their garden soils. Similar to other ground covers, shredded leaves will help suppress weeds, retain soil moisture, buffer soil temperature, and slow soil erosion. They will break down faster than wood mulch or straw though, and can easily be incorporated into the top layers of soil with little to no tilling within the season.
Shredded leaves are also useful for home composting. Keep a stockpile next to your compost pile and mix it in with kitchen scraps and grass clippings. This will help maintain even moisture and air in the pile, which will reduce strong odors.
Loading
Loading is generally available Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 3:30pm. The minimum purchase for loading is 1/2 cubic yard. This service depends on the operating condition of the equipment, the availability of a qualified operator, and conditions in the compost site. Loading is limited to open bed trucks and trailers, dump trucks and open semi-trailers. Large loads are encouraged to call ahead to schedule a time. Recycling Center staff reserve the right to refuse loading any truck or trailer they believe to be unsafe or unable to handle the requested load.
If you don’t have access to an open truck or trailer you can purchase our products and shovel your own into a your containers, bags, or trunk.
Deliveries
Deliveries of wood mulch, shredded leaf mulch, screened compost and finished (non-screened) compost are generally available May through October. There are 2 delivery zones. The delivery fee is $50.00 per load within 10 miles from the Manitowoc County Recycling Center. The delivery fee is $85.00 per load for locations greater than 10 miles from the Manitowoc County Recycling Center. Distances are determined by the shortest route available to the delivery truck. Deliveries can be scheduled by phone or in person at the main office. Be prepared to provide directions and specific instructions on where to dump material. Make sure the area is well marked and free from obstructions like shrubs, buildings, and power lines. Deliveries are not made outside Manitowoc County. Delivery wait times can vary from a few days to 2-3 weeks depending on demand, product availability, weather, and equipment. Note that you may contract other companies to pick up and deliver our compost products if you need large amounts or are facing extended delivery waiting times.