Own the solution

COLLECTIVE
RESOURCE
COMPOST
COOPERATIVE

What does being a co-op mean for us?

Collective Resource Compost Cooperative. It has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it? Beginning July 1st, 2023, we became a hybrid co-op: both worker- and consumer-owned. It’s the next logical step in the life of the company that employees be able to own part of it. Our business model is based on community, and how we want to work in the world is communally, not competitively.

We’re still dependably providing our customized, container-swap composting service. Becoming a co-op means we have financial support from the community to ensure that we can continue helping Chicagoland combat climate change.

We continue to welcome new owners. You can support us even if you’re not a customer by buying supporter-owner shares. Thank you to our Founding Owners!

Co-op Shares

  • are for members of our composting community who use our service.

    Become an Owner

  • are for any other U.S. Citizens who would like to support our work.

    Become an Owner

  • are for our employees only.

How to join

  • that fit your role in our composting community. Consumer-member shares are for current customers, and Supporter-owned shares are for others who wish to support us. Learn more here.

  • online, or mail us a check if you prefer. One share costs $1,000, however, the minimum investment is $250 - a quarter share. Buy your shares here.

  • by contributing to building a sustainable Chicagoland, having an opportunity to influence the direction of the co-op, and gaining a greater role in combating climate change. The cooperative is a stable investment vehicle that will never decline in value, and employee- and consumer-owners will receive a patronage in years when the Co-op has a profit. Additionally, we give our owners the added perks of:

    • 20 free gallons of compost at our annual Spring Gift-Back.

    • A free extra bucket twice a year.

    • Raffle and auction donations to support your preferred causes and events.

    Learn more by reading our Co-op Bylaws and Ownership Agreements.

Better Together

We’re excited to take this step into the world of cooperatives, and we hope that you will take it with us. As an owner, you’ll have a vote in our Board elections, and employee- and consumer-owners will receive a patronage in years when the Co-op has a profit. We also show additional appreciation for our owners by providing 20 free gallons of compost at our annual Spring Gift-Back, a free extra bucket twice a year, and we can provide raffle or auction donations to support your favorite causes and events.

Our Mission

To mitigate climate change by recovering organic resources through commercial composting and zero waste education, and by doing so, support workers, contribute to the local economy and create community around sustainability.

7 Cooperative Principles

Cooperation is a value baked into every cooperative. It's right there in the name! Cooperatives around the world generally operate according to the same core principles and values adopted by the International Co-operative Alliance in 1995.

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