Whether you’re an individual eager to start composting at home or an educator looking to bring the wonders of composting into your classroom, you’ve come to the right place. Here, you’ll find a variety of tools and materials created by Compost Man himself, Stan Slaughter, to help you master the art of composting.
From engaging games like the Compost Gin card game to vibrant posters and detailed guidebooks, there’s something for everyone. Educators will also find a comprehensive, state-approved curriculum designed to make teaching composting both fun and impactful. Explore our selection of resources to take your composting knowledge to the next level!
Compost Gin is a fun and educational card game designed to teach the essentials of composting.
Great for workshops, classrooms, or just at home! Inspired by the traditional gin card game, Compost Gin uses six different suits, each representing a key ingredient in a working compost pile. With helpful hints on compost materials and methods printed on each card, players learn as they play, aiming to achieve the perfect compost ratio by drawing and discarding cards.
Originally developed by Stan Slaughter for a compost education workshop in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Compost Gin has since become a best-seller in compost education, enjoyed by adults, community groups, classrooms, and families alike. Watch this video to learn how to play Compost Gin and start mastering the art of composting in a fun, interactive way!
The Composter Poster is a beautifully illustrated educational tool that has captivated audiences worldwide, with over 7,000 copies sold to individuals, agencies, cities, schools, and families. Designed to be both informative and visually engaging, this poster is perfect for compost education at any age.
The Composter Poster is a beautifully illustrated educational tool that has captivated audiences worldwide, with over 7,000 copies sold to individuals, agencies, cities, schools, and families. Designed to be both informative and visually engaging, this poster is perfect for compost education at any age.
The poster vividly depicts the composting process throughout the year, showing a compost pile in each season. This seasonal guide provides a clear template for managing a complete annual compost cycle, making it an invaluable resource for beginners and a helpful aid for workshop leaders. Key sections of the poster include Getting Started, Working with Mother Nature, The History, How It Works, and How to Use It, along with insights into Compost Biology and the Benefits of Composting. Printed on durable 18” x 14.5” stock with a glossy finish, this poster is both sturdy and stylish. Volume discounts are available; contact us directly for more information.
The Compost Toilet Guidebook offers complete instructions for building, using, and maintaining a low-cost composting toilet made from a plastic 55-gallon barrel.
The Compost Toilet Guidebook offers complete instructions for building, using, and maintaining a low-cost composting toilet made from a plastic 55-gallon barrel.
With color photos and detailed line drawings, this guide is designed to help visual learners easily understand the process. It includes an extensive discussion of the composting process and clear, step-by-step guidance through each stage of construction.
The Worm Compost Poster features beautifully detailed illustrations that demonstrate how to use red wiggler worms to recycle food scraps and enrich the soil.
The Worm Compost Poster features beautifully detailed illustrations that demonstrate how to use red wiggler worms to recycle food scraps and enrich the soil.
Measuring 18” x 14.5” and printed on durable stock with a glossy finish, this poster is both practical and visually appealing.
The illustration shows how to properly layer and maintain a healthy worm bin. Key headings include Benefits, Solutions for Pests and Problems, Red Wiggler Worms, as well as How to Feed, What to Feed, Where to Get Them, Where to Keep the Bin, and How to Harvest. Volume discounts are available; contact us directly for more information.
The Composters Color Workbook is an engaging tool for introducing kids to the concept of composting. As they color the pages, children absorb both the images and information, helping the educational content to resonate over time.
The Composters Color Workbook is an engaging tool for introducing kids to the concept of composting. As they color the pages, children absorb both the images and information, helping the educational content to resonate over time.
This eleven-page coloring book, illustrated by wildlife artist Sylvia Hein and developed with compost education text and concepts by Stan Slaughter, tells the story of composting through the lens of various “critters” involved in the process. Each group of actors is depicted “in their own words,” explaining their role in the miraculous transformation from waste to resource. The workbook includes a “find the hidden object” puzzle in the final illustration for added fun. Best suited for colored pencils, this workbook is designed for ages 7 and up.
The Recycling Learning Guide is a concise, five-page reference designed for teachers and solid waste educators. This resource brings the benefits of recycling to life with engaging poems, song lyrics, and hands-on activities. It also includes a comprehensive resource list to support and enhance recycling education.
The Compost Learning Guide is a comprehensive 23-page resource designed to enhance composting education for teachers and educators.
Developed by Stan Slaughter with support from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources, this guide offers four complete lessons, each filled with engaging activities and experiments related to composting.
Featuring 13 double-sided, illustrated pages, the guide provides clear instructions and full descriptions for each activity, making it easy for educators to build or expand a composting unit. Whether used in the classroom or outdoors, the Compost Learning Guide is an excellent tool for creating hands-on, impactful compost education projects.
A colorful educational poster for your school, group, or event. A great companion for the curriculum for grades 5-12 (see below). Keep sharing the story of “Food Too Good to Waste”!
The Food Too Good to Waste curriculum is a comprehensive digital science unit designed for students in grades 5-12, developed by Missouri Organic Recycling in partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment. Authored by award-winning environmental educator Stan Slaughter and master educator Katy White, this innovative program aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and uses composting, soil health, and food waste reduction techniques to teach students about the environmental impact of food waste. Featuring four engaging 50-minute lessons, original videos, and hands-on activities, the curriculum empowers students to design real-world projects that address key issues like waste reduction and soil health.
Since its launch in 2020, the Food Too Good to Waste curriculum has reached over 16,000 students across Kansas. Each student is required to create an outreach project, applying what they’ve learned to solve real environmental challenges. With strong support from educators and multiple grants from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, this curriculum, guided by the expertise of Slaughter and White, is making a significant impact by equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools to reduce human impact on the environment.
Lessons include: Compost Mechanics, Compost Ecosystem, Using Compost, All About Worms, and The Carbon Cycle.
