Meat is made of organic material so technically, it is compostable. However, there’s a bit more to the story than that. Can you compost raw meat? Yes. Should you? That’s another story entirely. Generally, it’s not recommended to compost raw meat except in a handful of situations. We will go over why that’s the recommendation, what those situations are and how to compost it if you’re going to try.
Meat does have quite a bit of nitrogen. It has a large amount of protein, which has a lot of nitrogen. This does make it a good source of raw material for compost, if you can overcome the risks.
The Problems With Composting Raw Meat
Adding raw meat to compost has a few concerns with it. Some we have heard before with other items and some are unique to meat.
Raw Meat Compost Attracts Pests
Raw meat attracts pests like rats, mice, raccoons, foxes and many more. They can smell the meat and will come after your compost pile with vigor to get at the meat. They make a mess and they don’t usually stop with the meat. They will eat anything edible they can find, leaving you with a mess, rats and a leaf pile instead of compost. Once they know the food is there, they’re more likely to come back.
Unfortunately, a closed bin is usually not enough to keep the animals from smelling it.
Raw Meat Can Contain Dangerous Microorganisms
Raw meat may contain a number of dangerous bacteria. You’ve heard the culprits in those warnings on restaurant menus and in the news: E. Coli, Salmonella, Listeria, Campylobacter. Bad stuff. The problem is that these can spread from your compost pile and into your garden and then back into your body. Don’t want that.
These can survive the composting process but often they die in time (about 60 days or so typically).
Raw Meat Takes Longer Than Vegetables to Compost
Raw Meat is high in fat and protein. These break down slowly in your compost pile, so the meat is likely to stick around for quite some time. They will likely be there long after your vegetables are gone.
Raw Meat Will Turn Rancid
Raw meat will eventually turn rancid. In short, it will stink. This also attracts pests and will repel neighbors (and anyone else downwind.)
It Might Be Illegal to Compost Meat
In some areas, it’s reportedly illegal to compost meat. Presumably, these areas are trying to keep down pests and wild animals from populated areas. Before you try composting meat at home, double check local requirements.
As you can see, there are a number of challenges in composting meat. This is why many composting experts, and the Environmental Protection Agency, recommend against composting meat. This is especially true in a home composting system.
If you still want to give it a try, keep reading. We recommend that beginners just skip the rest and assume that the answer to can you compost meat is a no.
Can You Compost Raw Meat Commercially?
If you are using a commercial composter, where you take your compostables somewhere or they get picked up, they might be willing to compost meat. Technically, it’s possible and they usually have procedures and infrastructure in place to deal with the downsides.
That said, before you send your meat to the commercial compost heap, check what they are willing to take. Some will take it and some will not, whether they could or not.
Where You Can Compost Raw Meat, Mostly Safely
There are a few other times that you can compost meat safely, well, for the most part.
Bokashi Method
In the Bokashi method of composting, you are basically fermenting the compostables in a closed system. It works a bit differently from other types of composting. You can compost meat in a Bokashi system but, beware the smell. That doesn’t go away.
In a Hot Composting System
If you are willing to do the work and keep your pile at the right temperature, you can compost meat in a compost pile. You still have to deal with the pests, but it is possible.
How to Compost Raw Meat
This is not a beginner technique. In general, we feel that composting should be easy or you won’t want to do it. That said, if you are willing to try, here goes.
Chop the meat into pieces
Just like with other composting, you want smaller pieces. They have more surface area for the microbes to attack and will decompose faster than bigger pieces.
Add the pieces to the center of your pile
You want to use a decent sized pile so that it has the depth and material to get to the right temperature. At least 3’x3’x3’ but we would recommend at least a 5’ width and length with a 3’ depth.
Add the pieces to the middle of the pile to keep the smell down and the pests out. That’s also where it will get warmer.
Add More Brown Material
You need brown material balance out the meat and other greens in your pile.
Monitor the Pile to Keep it Hot
The pile needs to be at least 130 deg F to 160 deg F. You will want to use a compost thermometer to ensure it’s staying at temperature. If it’s not, check your ratio of browns to greens. Each hot cycle should last at least five days.
Turn the Pile Between Cycles
As the temperature starts to cool from the hot temperature, turn the pile to keep it warm. Make sure to keep the meat in the middle. You need at least three hot cycles.
Collect the Compost
Once you’re done with the hot compost cycles, you can collect the compost. If it didn’t get to temperature for five days and three cycles, then don’t use the compost. The meat likely isn’t degraded and could cause more harm than good.
Supply:
- Raw Meat to Compost
- Compost Pile (at least 3'x3'x3')
Tools:
- Pitchfork, Compost Aerator or Other Tool to Turn the Compost
- Compost Thermometer
Some General Tips When Composting Meat
As you can see, composting meat at home isn’t easy and takes a lot of care. If you composted meat at home, regardless of how you did it, there are a few tips you will want to follow:
- Add all the organic material at once to help keep the temperature up
- Don’t use the compost for 150 days after it’s complete to ensure all microorganisms are dead.
- Avoid smaller piles so that the pile has what it needs to stay hot.
- Keep the pile moist but not wet
- Keep the meat in the center of the pile
These tips will help minimize the chances of any problems.
Can I Add Raw Meat to Compost?
Composting meat at home isn’t easy and has a number of risks. Unfortunately, even if you can compost something, sometimes it’s better not to. We recommend against composting meat but here are the tips if you want to try.
Frequently Asked Questions for Composting Raw Meat
Can You Compost Raw Meat in a Worm Bin?
Red worms will actually eat meat. Unfortunately, it will still create an awful smell before they’re done. It won’t hurt the worms, but it will stink and attract flies and maybe even animals that try to get into the bin.
Can You Compost Cooked Meat?
Cooked meat has many of the same risks. It attracts pests and it stinks. Your risk of harmful bacteria is a bit less but the rest of the risks are still there. So, we recommend against composting meat in all forms.
How Long Will E. Coli Survive?
In a true hot composting system, E. Coli should be gone in about 50-60 days. Otherwise, it can last for up to two years. This is part of why if it doesn’t get to temperature, you shouldn’t use it. The bacteria didn’t die.