Photos Courtesy of Atlas Organics
Composting to Reverse Climate Change
United in a pursuit to make a positive impact on the environment, Gary Nihart and Joseph McMillin came together to create a service to regenerate their local soil in South Carolina. Nihart brought experience operating compost facilities and McMillin brought his experience collecting and hauling recyclables from his company, Junk Matters, and created Atlas Organics. The company collects both commercial and residential organic waste, processes it, and then delivers high-quality finished compost to help build and support a sustainable, healthy environment for everyone.

Why It’s a Company to Watch:
Nihart and McMillin have personally worked in every aspect of the company, from collecting organic waste to operating the machinery at the composting site. They built their commercial client base to include the corporate, education, healthcare, hospitality, and industrial sectors while empowering local residents to make a difference through diverting food waste. Atlas Organics’ commitment to reversing climate change by regenerating the soil and supporting healthy ecosystems has led them to provide high-quality compost to clients in more than a dozen states across the United States, including Tennessee.
2022 in Review:

Gary Nihart and Joseph McMillin
Last year, Atlas Organics expanded into the West and Florida and continued deepening its relationships in Tennessee in many ways, including joining the Tennessee Composting Council as well as strengthening its relationship with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation. The company also continued supporting their work with Compost House at Crabtree Farms in Chattanooga, where they partner to collect waste from local residential and commercial clients, including the Chattanooga Lookouts, and offer monthly subscriptions for residential compost deliveries.
Outlook for 2023:
Atlas Organics was first introduced to Chattanooga through a request for compost, and once they dug deeper, they realized that Chattanooga is a city interested in increasing its sustainable business practices. This makes it a great home for their newest facility, which will empower Chattanoogans to make a greater environmental impact with easy composting. Toward the end of 2022, Atlas Organics leased a three-acre tract for a new food and yard waste composting facility near downtown Chattanooga, so 2023 will be focused on building that site. In addition to this growth, Atlas Organics will be integrating with their parent company, Generate Upcycle, to offer an even more diverse range of technologies for circular waste solutions.