Study: Compost Industry Brings Jobs, $148M To Minn. Economy

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency says a recent state-wide study showed that the composting industry created hundreds of jobs and was responsible for $148 million in total estimated economic activity.

The agency said the study, conducted by The Minnesota Composting Council, showed that the composting industry has created, either directly or indirectly, about 700 jobs.

In 2013, the gross revenues for both public and private composting organizations totaled $38 million, the agency said. That's up 27 percent, from $30 million in 2008.

The study was funded by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and done by disrupting surveys to composting organizations. The response rate was about 30 percent.

In 2013, the state's composting industry recycled more than 660,000 tons of organic material, the agency said.