ccc workshop - part 4: the business of community composting [jennifer mastalerz, philly compost]

CREATIVE BUSINESS

Sustaining a business with the help of the community, as a work at home parent and through collaboration with other like minded businesses.

Diverse Revenue Streams

• Member Based drop-off program – 87 members

• Weekly Volume Processed onsite: +/- 120 gallons

• Approximate 2016 Revenue: $4,200

• Organics Hauling – 17 current commercial customers

• Weekly Volume Collected and processed offsite: +/-650 gallons


• Event Composting – mostly weddings

• Subcontracting to another Compost company for pedal collections (5 months in 2016)


• Received grant for $8,000 in summer of 2016

The Numbers

34%

66%

87 Current MembersVolunteer Members Non-Volunteer

Working Membership = $25 per year

Non working Membership = $50 per year

The Numbers

86%

14%

2016 Revenue: $4,200 Membership Dues Product Sales

Product: reused grain bags from local brewery. 1cubic foot (+/-7.5 gallons). $10 each


• Member Based drop-off program










Customer Type Pickups Per Week

Bins Per Pick-up

Approx Weekly Volume (gallons

Monthly Collection Fee

Daycare 1 1 10 $25Gastro Pub 1 2 3 50 $150Coffee Shop 1 1 4 35 Barter - $75

creditLunch Restaurant 1 1 4 40 $100Coffee Shop 2 1 4 40 $125Gastro Pub 2 2 8 130 $300Fine Dining 1 4 20 $200Coffee Shop 3 2 6 120 $200Ice Cream Shop 1 1 2 15 $40Retirement Community

1 2 15 $75

Gastro Pub 3 1 4 30 $120Pizza Shop 1 2 15 $40Lunch Restaurant 2 2 4 65 $135Coffee Shop 4 1 4 35 $120Ice Cream Shop 2 1 4 30 $60Catering Business Drop Off 1 or 2 15 Barter - $40

creditCommunity Kitchen 1 1 10 $60

Map and Route Scheduling• Collection days – Tuesday and Saturday mornings• Most restaurants want an early week collection day

to remove weekend material• Saturdays allow for employee who has full time job

and wants some extra weekend work • Allow for you to be seen by a different crowd than

during the week

Expenses

• Rent & Utilities (Water & Electric)• Marketing

• Salary for Employee doing collections

• Tricycle Maintenance and Upkeep• Third party hauling• Bin Liners

• Earth Tub Maintenance and Upkeep

• Site Improvements – new curing bins, sifters, covered spaces

Approximate Annual ExpensesEmployee Collection Salary - $15/hr 10hrs/week:Rent/Utilities :Third Party Hauling:Bin LinersEquipment maintenanceMarketing

$ 7,800$ 3,050$ 3,400$ 1,000$ 1,500$ 500

$17,250


• Member Based drop-off program










Future Plans• Creating 501c3 and then potentially

a member owned cooperative• Remove Earth Tubs and compost in

3 bin systems now that I feel more confident about composting and have a good volunteer base

• MORE EDUCATION! Partnering with local school or community garden for more secure siting & education opportunities

• Partnering with Bennett Compost to

allow for more security, growth and

time to focus on • Local xmas tree collection for

recycling• Share tricycle (and trailer if

wanted) with other entrepreneurs as part of a pedal collective

• Set up something in Philadelphia similar to the Soil Rebuilders Composter Training program in DC

• Pet waste composting (anyone doing this?)

Challenges & Words of Wisdom • Figure out who you work best

with• Establish partnerships if

possible that help with volunteers or employees (schools, neighborhood groups, veterans groups, etc)

• Make friends and be honest with neighbors

• The majority of people who reach out about joining the Compost Coop are women and 95% of my volunteers are women. Keep this in mind when doing marketing.

• Staffing• Site Issues – theft,

neighborhood development

• Insurance!

Zip ties are amazingly versatile and helpful!

Toilet bowl brushes are great for cleaning out compost bins

ccc workshop - part 4: the business of community composting [jennifer mastalerz, philly compost]

Environment