Process

Mortality Composting

dead horse
pexels.com

What it is:

Composting is defined under Montana’s Administrative Rules, as the “controlled biological decomposition of organic solid waste under aerobic conditions.” Admin. Rules of Mont. § 17.50.403(5). “Controlled biological decomposition” means the composting process is managed by monitoring temperatures, carbon and nitrogen ratio, water content, and air flow. “Aerobic conditions” means “occurring in the presence of oxygen.” composting is not burial – it occurs on the surface of the ground. So what does this all mean? The mortality composting process that we do involves encasing animals in beds of wood chips where, over time, active biological processes reduce the wood chips and animal bodies to a rich, earthy mulch and soil amendment. Have any questions? Shoot us a line and we’d be happy to answer any questions or concerns you may have.


composting deceased pets
Helen Sautter Photography
carcass disposal
LC Compost Solutions

The time it takes:

​The process to compost an animal takes anywhere from 3 to 9 months, depending on the time of year the process is started, the size of the animal and the number of animals composting at the same time. For example, horses are composted individually and can be completed in 9 to 12 months. Dogs and smaller animals are difficult to compost individually because they do not generate enough heat alone to accelerate the biological process. That is why LC Compost Solutions will have several smaller animals composted together, side by side. As a result, please keep in mind that the composted remains of your pet will likely also contain composted remains of its neighbor. LC Compost Solutions will continue to work on methods to composts animals individually, because we understand the importance of individualized attention. The process for smaller animals ranges from 3 to 6 months.
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LC Compost Solutions
composted remains
Helen Sautter Photography

What to expect:

​When your animal companion dies, or if euthanasia is scheduled, contact LC Compost Solutions as soon as possible and arrange a time to deliver the animal to our composting site, or for LC Compost Solutions to arrange pickup ($35 charge for a pickup within 25 miles of Helena). Currently, LC Compost Solutions can pickup animals less than 200 pounds.  For a larger animal, such as a horse, LC Compost Solutions partners with the Valley View Landfill in East Helena.  They will deliver large animals to the compost facility for a $100 fee, payable directly to them.   If you opt to have the composted remains returned to you, terms and conditions apply. The composting fee (and pickup fee, if applicable) will be collected (cash, credit or local check). The animal will then be enveloped in a pile of wood chips, and its location in the compost yard is tracked. You will be contacted when the remains are ready to be picked up. See our rate sheet for estimated length of time before compost is returned. Please keep in mind that there may be some bones present in the remains we return. Although composted remains are suitable for use in planting a tree or flower bed, as a precautionary measure, you should always avoid using mortality compost on crops or plants that are for direct human consumption.  
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LC Compost Solutions

Mortality composting is better than ​burial or incineration because the process:

  • protects groundwater
  • manages multiple waste streams at the same time (manure, wood, produce waste)
  • reduces attractants to predators and scavengers
  • is quicker than decomposition with burial
  • keeps carcasses out of landfill
  • creates a usable end-product