The Scoop – November 2019 – The Importance of Composting

The Scoop: November 2019
The Importance of Composting

Composting is nature’s process of recycling decomposed organic material, such as leaves or food, into rich soil known as compost.

What is and isn’t compostable?

“If it used to be alive, chances are, it’s compostable.” This even includes things like napkins & paper towels.

Why is it Important?
Organic matter makes up about two-thirds of all materials in the waste stream. By composting, we can keep organic matter out of landfills and use it to provide nutrients and helpful micro-organisms to lawns, gardens, and potted plants. Think of compost as a protein shake for your garden!

Composting can easily be done in your backyard- using very little space! There are several DIY composting bins that would fit any size yard. Click on the picture below for more info!

Indoor Composting is also a great and convenient way to sustainably get rid of food waste, right in the comfort of your own kitchen! Click on the below picture for ideas on how to achieve this!

Benefits of Composting:

Enriches soil, helping retain moisture and suppress plant diseases and pests.
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.
Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
Reduces methane emissions from landfills and lowers your carbon footprint.

Please see the below blog regarding things you can & cannot compost:

By: Greg Lewis

Instead of tossing your kitchen scraps, why not put them to work as compost? Just as there are many reasons to garden, there are plenty of reasons to compost. Compost is broken-down organic matter that you can use as a fertilizer for your lawn and garden. Make compost by tossing food scraps and “brown material” such as leaves and newspapers into a pile or container. Bacteria and fungi break down these materials, turning them into compost. A healthy compost pile is pest- and odor-free. Make your own by using the following tips on what you can and can’t compost.

Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio

An essential part of composting is getting the right carbon/nitrogen ratio, which is 30:1. Compostable materials fall into two categories: “browns” and “greens.”

• Browns are rich in carbon and usually dry (think paper and wood).
• Greens are rich in nitrogen and are usually fresher and have more moisture (like fruit and vegetable scraps).

Ignoring this ratio will affect your composting efforts. If you have too much carbon, your materials will break down slowly or not at all. If you have too much nitrogen, your compost pile will be anything but odor-free. In other words, it’ll stink!  To get the 30:1 ratio, add one part brown to two parts green to your compost pile. Note: The ratio here involves the chemical make-up of the material and not its volume.

Things You Can Compost

Browns

• Dried leaves
• Paper towels and napkins (shredded)
• Newspaper (black and white, shredded)
• Egg cartons (paper/pulp, not foam)
• Cardboard (broken into smaller pieces)
• Dead plants (free of disease)
• Tree bark
• Straw
• Peanut shells
• Eggshells (crushed for faster decomposition)

Greens

• Fruit and vegetable scraps (uncooked)
• Coffee grounds
• Tea leaves
• Fresh flowers
• Fresh leaves
• Garden clippings (green)
• Fruit pits
• Houseplants
• Potting soil

Compostable, With Restrictions

• Bread products: Add in moderation and bury within your compost pile to keep from attracting unwanted pests and wildlife.
• Grass clippings: Apply these sparingly, in a thin layer on top of brown materials or mixed with other greens. Thick layers of grass clippings will create slimy clumps or mats that will hamper air circulation.
• Fresh manure: Horse, cow, chicken, sheep, goat, rabbit, and even bat manure is a good, nitrogen-rich addition to your compost pile. Do not use human, dog, cat, or pig manure because it can contain harmful parasites.
• Wood chips and sawdust: Add these only if you’re sure they come from untreated wood.

Things You Can’t Compost

• Meat and bones: these will attract pests and wildlife (including flies, maggots, dogs, cats, raccoons, skunks, etc.)
• Oily food and cooking oil: This will also attract pests and wildlife, and will upset the moisture balance of your compost.
• Dairy products: another pest magnet!
• Coated, glossy, or brightly colored paper
• Plastic
• Medicine
• Anything inorganic

Whether you’re composting at home or taking your scraps to a community compost pile, these suggestions will help you create and maintain usable compost. Instead of adding to the landfill, you’ll be returning beneficial, eco-friendly nutrients to the soil.

Greg Lewis is a fitness trainer and health food addict. He enjoys growing his own organic fruits and vegetables and cooking them for friends and family.