Reduction in Landfill Waste

Composting organic waste significantly reduces the volume of waste sent to landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, over three million tons of food waste are composted nationwide every year, which is only 4% of all food waste.

At Dakota Prairie Composting and its predecessor, the SMSC Organics Recycling Facility, we have diverted over

Decrease in Greenhouse Gas Emissions

When organic waste decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas, which can account for nearly

Composting, on the other hand, is an aerobic process (requires oxygen) and does not emit methane, thus reducing the carbon footprint associated with waste disposal.

Soil Health and Fertility

Compost adds essential nutrients to the soil, improves its structure, and enhances its ability to retain moisture. This results in healthier plant growth and reduced need for chemical fertilizers, which can have harmful environmental impacts.

Water Conservation

By improving soil structure and moisture retention, composting can help conserve water. Healthier soils reduce runoff and erosion, further conserving water resources and protecting water quality.

Biodiversity Enhancement

Compost can support a higher diversity of soil organisms, which is crucial for nutrient cycling and breaking down organic matter into plant-available nutrients.

Revenue Generation

We sell our high-quality compost to gardeners, landscapers, and farmers, generating revenue streams to improve our operations and reach.

Job Creation

The composting industry requires personnel for operations, sales, and administrative functions, creating new jobs.

When our operations began in 2011, we employed only 3 people. Now, Dakota Prairie Composting is a team of 23, and we continue to grow as we evolve.

Reduced Dependency on Chemical Fertilizers

The use of compost can decrease the reliance on chemical fertilizers, reducing costs while also mitigating the environmental damage caused by their production and use.

Educational Value

At Dakota Prairie Composting, we welcome all kinds of groups to tour our facility and learn more about our process and impact. We are happy to serve as a valuable educational tool for schools and community leaders, teaching principles of sustainability, compost creation and usage, and environmental stewardship.

Since we began offering tours, we have had thousands of guests come through our facility to learn what we do and how we do it.

Our goal to provide up-to-date information and resources for our community is shown in our website traffic, which averages nearly

Community Engagement

Many of the deliveries of food waste we receive come from community organics drop-off programs. These programs can foster a sense of cooperation and shared responsibility for environmental sustainability, promoting stronger community bonds. We also provide a local resource for surrounding municipalities to save drive time and money when disposing of yard waste and food waste.

Health Implications

By reducing the reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides, using compost can contribute to healthier food systems and potentially lower exposure to harmful chemicals.

Resilience to Climate Change

Healthier soils with improved organic matter content can sequester more carbon and are more resilient to the impacts of climate change, such as extreme weather events.