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Additional assumptions related to composting, including raw materials and the process itself, are
needed in order to arrive at a final cost estimate per cubic yard of finished compost. It is also critical
to understand the amount of volume reduction that occurs during composting and curing.
Assumptions include total input in cubic yards, output volume of compost as a percent of input,
compost output volume in cubic yards before curing, any additional loss during curing (by volume),
and finished compost output in cubic yards.

A final consideration is the costs that may be avoided if the manure otherwise had to be disposed.
Disposal might include trucking or hauling to a landfill or other disposal site. The costs the facility is
currently paying for disposal including management and labor time need to be considered.
Alternatively, if the finished compost is sold, then these revenues can be considered in the budget.
* " )
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* $ 6 4 3
* + $ 43

* $ 7 84

* $ 7 78

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* $ 6 44 3
* + $ 3

* $ 9 4
Total Annual Costs 4,351
Cost per cubic yard composted $87.02
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* $ 6 4 3
* + $ 43

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* $ 4 37<

= 6 9
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Contact your local Resource Conservation District for further information on manure management and with help in
estimating composting costs and returns.
Funding for this project has been provided to the Council of Bay Area RCD’s in part by the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (USEPA) pursuant to Assistance Agreement No. C9-989697-00-0 and any amendments thereto which
has been awarded to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) for the implementation of California’s
Nonpoint Source Pollution program. The contents of this document do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of
the USEPA or the SWRCB, nor does mention of trade manes or commercial products constitute endorsement or
recommendation for use.