Our Facility

Dorset Compost is one of two licensed Compost Facilities in Bennington County.

Vermont's Universal Recycling Law (Act 148) requires that food scraps be diverted from landfills and processed by licensed facilities.
Dorset Compost offers a convenient solution for residents and businesses for Act 148 compliance.

Our Licensing

We are licensed by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources to operate a small scale compost facility. (Solid waste ID# BN-210-2023-61).

Our license allows us to:

Process up to 2,000 cubic yards of food scraps
Process up to 3,000 cubic yards of carbon (wood chips and leaves)
Transport food scraps from homes and businesses

Compost Facility Operation

To meet the standards of a Vermont licensed compost facility, we follow strict guidelines and document our actions for state inspection. Our rigorous process ensures efficient compost production without methane, odors, and protects our water resources:

Daily monitoring of temperature readings at depths of one and three feet, maintaining temperatures exceeding 131°F for 15 days.
Turning compost piles at least every three days during the processing phase, creating an ideal environment for beneficial thermophilic bacteria.
This process effectively eradicates harmful pathogens, weed seeds, and deters animal presence, ensuring high-quality compost.
After processing, compost undergoes an aging period of over 90 days, maintaining temperatures below 90°F to be considered "mature".
Rigorous testing is conducted to ensure the compost is free from contaminants and "forever chemicals" before market availability.

Our diligent oversight of the maturation process and adherence to these standards guarantee the production of premium, environmentally safe compost.

Our History

In 2003, Michael and Michelle Flett bought the old McWayne farm in Dorset, Vermont, which was previously inactive for over a decade. Over the years, they have collaborated with nearby farmers to utilize the land for cultivating crops for their CSA. The farm also hosts a partner involved in raising more than 3,000 pheasants annually, a local couple managing a flock of sheep for both meat and wool production, and a beekeeper caring for numerous hives. Throughout this period, composting has consistently played a crucial role in their farming practices. Dorset Compost now expands on the utility of the land to create a larger, more efficient production of compost.

Slide through to see the construction of our facility:

Environmental Impact

Methane Reduction

By composting with Dorset Compost instead of sending your food scraps to landfills, you're making a significant environmental impact:

Food waste in landfills is the 3rd largest source of methane emissions in the US, after natural gas and livestock.
In landfills, food waste produces methane for up to 50 years due to anaerobic decomposition.
Methane is 70 times more potent than CO2 as a greenhouse gas.

At our facility, we introduce oxygen to food scraps and carbon, creating the perfect environment where bacteria break down waste quickly without producing methane. The result? Rich compost that enhances soil and supports food growth, instead of harmful emissions.

Wildlife and Weed Seed Mitigation

The high temperatures of the compost piles at Dorset Compost ensure that wildlife such as bears are not attracted. Wildlife is a problem for residential backyard composting in Vermont. Especially when it comes to meat and bones. The high temperatures also destroy and weed seeds. This is especially important when it comes to any invasive species.

Ensure your food scraps are diverted from landfills and converted into a valuable local resource.

Contracting with Dorset Compost ensures that your food scraps are diverted from landfills and converted into a resource that is used locally.

As a licensed compost facility you can be confident that your food scraps will be processed in a manner that upholds the standards set forth by the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources.

Dorset Compost documents your food scrap volumes. These statistics are available in your Dorset Compost Portal for you to share with your customers.