Today we’d like to introduce you to Justen Garrity.
Hi Justen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Veteran Compost started in 2010 with one person and a shovel. Justen Garrity returned home from the Army and found himself unemployed, so he started to explore sustainable businesses. The idea of turning food waste into compost which could be used to grow food again was compelling. Started with just the money he saved while deployed overseas, the company has grown to 35+ employees collecting and composting millions of pounds of food waste each year.
Veteran Compost operates two compost facilities in Aberdeen, MD and Alexandria, VA. They collect and compost food scraps from residential, commercial and office customers. The organic compost they produce is used by local farmers and gardeners to grow flowers, vegetables and landscapes.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Bootstrapping a business is a slow grind upwards. Each year we try to make more money so that we can reinvest in the business to buy more equipment, hire more people, and offer more benefits to our staff. We have grown each year without grants, investors or big loans.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Veteran Compost is a veteran-owned small business focused on collecting and composting food scraps. We are proud to operate the longest-running food scrap composting facility in Maryland. Each year we are able to take millions of pounds of food scraps and turn them into awesome compost that can be used by local farmers, landscapers and homeowners to grow new things
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
We believe in working together as a company to provide the best possible compost and collection services – no matter the obstacles. It’s our awesome team that has allowed us to overcome so many challenges and to keep things rolling.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.veterancompost.com
- Instagram: @veteran_compost
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/veterancompost
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/veteran-compost
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@veterancompost
