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 |