Engineers Turn Waste to Gold in Dallesport

0:00It's March 26, Vancouver News Today starts now, AI-powered and ready. In Dallas-Pore Washington, Dirt Hugger stands out as one of the state's largest commercial composting operations. Co-founded in 2010 by Pierce Lewis and Tyler Miller, the company transforms yard debris and food waste into high-quality compost for gardeners and farmers. They handle both household and commercial scraps, focusing on eco-friendly methods to create nutrient-rich soil. The founders bring unusual backgrounds to the dirt business. Lewis study psychology at the University of Virginia and earned an MBA from Oxford in England. Miller holds engineering degrees from Oregon State University. After working in aerospace and drones, they discover composting through training in California and tours across four states, quickly embracing the collaborative industry, turning waste into soil demands precise science. Trucks deliver materials like grass clippings, leaves, and fruit from nearby farms and cities

1:01such as Vancouver. Workers screen out plastics and other contaminants by hand and machine, then mix nitrogen-rich greens with carbon-heavy browns. Microbes handle the breakdown, generating intense heat up to 200 degrees. To keep things safe and efficient, Dirt Hugger uses advanced tools. Underground fans pull air through piles to cool them and filter odors via biofilters. Drone's monitors stop piles weekly, probes track temperature and 55% humidity in real time, and sprinklers add moisture from sources like fruit juice. Everything now runs on renewable energy from solar panels and a nearby dam, even heating their offices. This operation not only diverts waste from landfills, but produces a live, vibrant compost in about 45 days, proving two engineers can brew. Black gold while nurturing the planet.