At the Marldon Community Composting scheme, which is run by volunteers, garden waste is transformed into compost in about four months.
David Bradbury, founder of Sustainable South Hams, said the social aspect of the scheme was something he had not considered.
“It puts a huge smile on my face,” he said.
“The community involvement has been wonderful.”
Jacqui Hodgson, South Hams district councillor and executive member for community composting, said composting was a way for people to cut their carbon footprint.
She said of garden and food waste: “You wouldn’t think it had such a heavy carbon footprint but it does.”