Waste Reduction: Composting

Compost is a key ingredient in organic farming.  It is made up of organic waste materials such as yard clippings, food waste, and animal manure.  According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 percent of the US waste stream is composed of food waste and yard trimmings.  By composting, individuals can make efficient use of material that would end up in overcrowded landfills.

Compost has many environmental benefits.  It can be used along embankments to  prevent water runoff and erosion.  Compost helps save water by retaining moisture and reduces the frequency and duration of watering plants and flowers.   It can serve as a natural fertilizer and reduce or eliminate the use of commercial fertilizers and pesticides.  During extreme heat and cold, compost can act as a moisture blanket or thermal blanket.  Composting can help enrich poor soil and replenish nutrients.

While composting is inexpensive, the benefits are very beneficial.  Backyard composting is the most common method of  household composting.  One can purchase a composting bin or construct their own.  However, commercial bins tend to be more costly than building your own.  A simple bin can be constructed from wire panels or wood.

Composting requires four key ingredients:

1. Browns- dead leaves, twigs, branches
2. Greens- coffee grounds, grass clippings
3. Water
4. Air

For the best results, each layer of the pile is alternated between browns and greens.  The pile should be moist but not soggy.  Too much water will not allow air spaces to form.  By placing a tarp over the top of the bin, moisture and heat will begin to build inside.  As this occurs the pile will begin to decompose and break down.  When this begins to occur you may turn the pile and add more brown and green materials. Depending on the size of the pile, it may take anywhere from two months or more to have finished compost. When the material is dark colored, crumbles easily, and is earthy smelling it is ready to be used.

What to Compost – The IN List

• Animal ( cow or horse) manure
• Cardboard rolls
• Clean paper
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Cotton rags
• Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
• Eggshells
• Fireplace ashes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Grass clippings
• Hair and fur
• Hay and straw
• Houseplants
• Leaves
• Nut shells
• Sawdust
• Shredded newspaper
• Tea bags
• Wood chips
• Wool rags
• Yard trimmings

What Not to Compost – The OUT List

Leave Out/Reason Why

• Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
• Releases substances that might be harmful to plants
• Coal or charcoal ash
• Might contain substances harmful to plants
• Dairy products (e.g., butter, milk, sour cream, yogurt) and eggs
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Diseased or insect-ridden plants
• Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants
• Fats, grease, lard, or oils
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Meat or fish bones and scraps
• Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies
• Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
• Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans
• Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
• Might kill beneficial composting organisms

Resources: http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/, http://www.fortworthgov.org/dem/info/default.aspx?id=8174, http://journeytoforever.org/compost.html http://www.ecomii.com/waste/composting