Compost. Revolutionized.
Now serving Johnson, Morgan, and Monroe counties!
Step #1
Purchase a service plan
Select a plan based on the volume of organic refuse. A family of 3 or 4 members needs just 1x 12-gallon tote. A restaurant or cafe typically uses four to six (4 to 6) 21-gallon totes.
If your farm or business consistently produces organic waste (e.g., sawdust, manure, bedding, clippings, or paper waste) please reach out to us for consultation to see if we can support you with hauling and composting.
Click here for more information about à la carte products and services for events and food services.
Step #2
Initial delivery
Once your membership is finalized, the truck will deliver your tote(s).
In some counties you can also pick up your 12-gallon tote(s) at the local recycling center.
12 and 21-gallon totes
Step #3
Collect your rubbish
Go about your daily routine. Just remember that almost all things that were once living can be collected as rubbish—rather than going in the disposal or trash.
Periodically empty your refuse into your tote. You can keep the tote outside your living area (like in the garage).
Step #4
Our rig is designed to be nimble and fuel efficient
Step #5
Collection day
All of our plans offer weekly service.
The night before pick-up day, place the tote in a good spot for the driver that's different from your trash and recycling pick-up area. If you have empty Refillery containers, place them next to the tote(s).
When the driver arrives, the tote(s) will be dumped in the trailer. Then it will be rinse out and compost starter will be added to the bottom of the fresh tote. If you have a Refillery delivery, the driver will leave it in your preferred spot.
Earn rewards
You'll earn Wise Rewards points every time you leave your tote for collection and return empty Refillery containers.
These points can be used for rebates and discounts for Marketplace purchases.
Step #6
Johnson-Su bioreactor
Step #7
Kitchen-to-Farm
The rubbish is taken to our Compostery near Newtown in Fountain County, Indiana. Here it is ground and mixed with other materials (called feedstocks) to produce an ideal ratio of carbon-to-nitrogen.
We use three methods of composting at our compostery: 1) static aerated piles (ASP), 2) turned windrows, and 3) Johnson-Su bioreactors. We are the first facility in Indiana (2nd in the United States) permitted to use bioreactors for commercial scale composting. Bioreactors are unique because there is no odor associated with composting food waste and we can process a larger quantity in a smaller footprint.
When our compost is finished, it is pH neutral; full of microorganisms and earthworms; and naturally loaded with nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).
No inorganic chemicals are used to produce our finished compost.
Redelivery, or Farm-to-Field
With your service plan, you may request a complimentary "re-delivery" of finished compost (up to 6 yards) every year you can use in your home gardening and landscaping. If you need more, simply pay a low delivery fee. Yes—the compost is free with your active service plan.
Our farm's model is to return to the Earth (rather than to strip away).
Compost we produce at the compostery will also be applied to crop fields in the West Central Indiana area.
In 2026, our compostery will also have the capability to produce compost extract. This is a highly nutritious and microbe rich liquid that can be directly applied to growing plants using root injection or autonomous drone sprayers.
$350 VALUE!
Step #8
Results we can measure—and report
There are Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) we can use to see that together, we are making a positive impact.
When finished compost is applied to augment production fields, we can measure soil fertility levels, pH, topsoil depth, microorganism populations, and yields.
The quality of our compost is STA certified by the U.S. Composting Council.
Richland Farms is local—for our Hoosier communities and neighbors.
Together, we can make an impact.
Service Areas
We offer compostery service for Indiana communities in these counties:
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Boone
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Fountain
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Hamilton
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Hendricks
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Johnson (Franklin, North)
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Marion
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Monroe (Bloomington, North)
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Morgan
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Parke
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Putnam
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Tippecanoe
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Warren
Custom solutions are available for locations in Indiana outside these service areas.
Caring and thoughtful partnerships
We provide complete zero-waste solutions for restaurants, schools, and anyone who wants to successfully move away from plastics and landfill waste to fully compostable service. We love a challenging problem to solve!
We're proud to partner closely with Pots & Pans Pie Company. The Clubhouse opened in early October as our first zero-waste partner location in Broad Ripple. We're able to provide substantial value with affordable composting service and direct-from-manufacturer pricing on compostable cups, plates, straws, and bowls that are processed into compost at our facility.
"In the U.S., food constitutes 24% of municipal solid waste, with approximately 62.5 million tons ending up in landfills annually as of 2020. Globally, about one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted, with much of it ending up in landfills. This waste contributes significantly to methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas."
Did you know?
The concept of curbside composting isn't new.
Until the use of plastic trash bags became popular, homes in New England used subterranean rubbish receptacles.
A truck came around every week to collect the organic waste and it was hauled to local hog farms.
Composting services are still very popular in New England. The subterranean receptacles have been replaced with wheeled totes.
Join us to make composting for urban Indiana just as common practice as in New England!