Dillo Compost

The controlled aerobic, biological breakdown of biodegradable materials produces compost, a soil product.

Compost produced at the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant is called Dillo Dirt. It was one of the oldest programs in the country and the first of its kind in the state. To make Dillo Dirt, brush produced by City of Austin agencies and citizens is combined with treated biosolids (wastewater sludge) and composted. Pathogens can be almost completely eradicated by the heat produced during composting, which ranges from 130 to 170 degrees Fahrenheit. Dillo Dirt is “cured” for several months and screened to create finished compost after active composting for more than a month. Because Dillo Dirt is produced entirely of recycled materials, it keeps waste out of landfills and lowers costs for residents.

Dillo Compost meets all Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements and can be used for landscaping and flower beds. Like other composts, Dillo Compost has many benefits such as reducing watering requirements and enriching the soil environment.