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5 Easy Beginner Compost Tips

Composting is easy, clean, and is an ideal way for us to lessen our food waste.


If you’ve been thinking about composting but decided it is a hassle or is too ick-factor, we’re going to ease your minds about it. After this article, you will have the knowledge necessary to create your own composting system – it’s just 5 steps!

What is compost?


Firstly, what the heck IS compost? Compost is a general term for the natural process of organic materials decomposing and forming a nutrient-dense material. This happens all the time in nature! But, like most things in nature, decomposition takes a long time. Composting practices simply speed up that natural process so we can enjoy all the benefits of composting year-round. All that’s needed is oxygen, water, organic materials, and heat.



Benefits of composting


Composting is good for the planet. It reduces waste in landfills which diminishes greenhouse gases. (When waste sits in landfills, it decomposes without oxygen, releasing methane gas.) Composting diminishes the need for chemical fertilizers because it supplies nutrients to the soil that make plants more resilient and resistant to disease. Composting also invites microorganisms and critters to interact and thrive within the soil, creating a healthier ecosystem.


5 Beginner Tips For Composting


1. Identify what to compost

Technically, any organic matter can be composted. But for timeliness and cleanliness, there are a few do’s and don’ts to ensure a healthy compost.

Do's

Vegetables & fruit

​Dried twigs and leaves

Hair

​General food scraps

Eggshells

​Eggshells

Corn husks

Cooked pasta

Cooked pasta

Houseplants

Yard trimmings

Paper documents

Tea bags (without staples)

Shredded newspaper

​Shredded newspaper

Paper egg cartons

Chicken poop

Chicken poop

Vacuum cleaner dust

Nuts

Bread

Don'ts


Meat

Charcoal/Coal