Most of us are probably aware of what composting is, and we’re aware it’s something that we should be doing. We’ve probably thrown away an apple core or two into a bin labeled “composting,” but that’s the extent of our interaction with the daunting concept of composting. Most of us wouldn’t know where to begin on our own. This article will outline how one can begin composting at home, along with steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and educate others.
Why Should We Compost?
Composting offers a plethora of benefits for the environment. Composted material acts as a quality fertilizer. Substituting compost reduces the amount of chemical fertilizers in the environment, preventing harmful runoff into bodies of water. Since compost is thicker, it enriches the soil by allowing for water retention and suppressing plant diseases. Composting can reduce our carbon footprint by alleviating stress from landfills. Already overcrowded landfills result in higher methane and CO2 levels, contributing to the greenhouse gasses that already exist in our environment. Decreasing the amount of trash we throw away by composting and recycling is a small step we can take towards decreasing pollution.
What is Compostable?
There are three major “ingredients” when it comes to composting: browns, greens, and water. Brown ingredients usually consist of dry or woody plant material, and are usually (but not always) brown in color. We don’t always view these items as compostable. Some common brown ingredients include shredded newspaper, cardboard, paper, hay and straw, leaves, sawdust, wood chips, cotton and wool rags, dryer lint, hair and fur, and fireplace ashes. Green ingredients on the other hand are usually more fresh, including recently growing and mostly wet materials. These materials aren’t always green in color, but often come from plants that were once green. However, exceptions do exist. Some common examples of green materials include fruits and vegetables, eggshells, coffee grounds and filters, tea bags, nut shells, yard trimmings, grass clippings, and houseplants. The key to a good compost blend lies within the balance of ingredients: green and brown ingredients should be roughly equal, and the composted materials should be between 40 and 60 percent water, including green ingredients.
How Can We Compost?
The most common way to compost is pile or bin composting. This method of composting will produce the highest yield. If you have access to a backyard, this is an easy way to begin composting for beginners. First, select a dry and shady spot to begin building your compost pile or bin. It should be relatively protected from the elements. Next, begin to add your ingredients, making sure to add water as needed and cut larger pieces into smaller chunks to reduce the amount of time needed for an item to break down. A pitchfork or a shovel is recommended, and can also be used to turn your compost pile regularly. Once you establish your compost pile, make sure to keep adding to it, mixing green waste into the pile and burying fruits and vegetables at least 10 inches under the top of the pile.
If you don’t have access to a backyard, you are able to compost indoors as well. You can buy special indoor composting bins online or in home and hardware stories, or make a bin yourself. Remember to tend to your pile regularly, turning it frequently, and keeping track of the materials you put into it. If properly managed, your compost pile should not smell bad, or attract any pests.
Works Cited
“Composting At Home.” EPA, Environmental Protection Agency, 15 July 2020,
www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home#:~:text=off composting program.-,Benefits of
Composting,a rich nutrient-filled material.
Vanderlinden, Colleen. “Which Items Are ‘Greens’ and Which Are ‘Browns’ for Composting?”
The Spruce, Dotdash, 2 Feb. 2019, www.thespruce.com/composting-greens-and-
browns-2539485.