Compost

So maybe you want to start a garden, maybe you want to boost the garden you already have, or you may just be looking for more sustainable ideas. Either way you’ll be helping the planet and your garden! 

1 | COMPOST!

Composting is an amazing way to live a more sustainable life by using the 3 Rs; reducing, reusing, and recycling. The most important thing about compost is that it reduces the amount of landfill space taken up by leftover food, plastics, and other waste products that did not get recycled. 

The United States on average produces over 3.4 million tons of waste every year! Millions of tons of waste is compiled in landfills and adds up to our third largest methane producer! When waste and food products get dumped into landfills they start to break down through anaerobic decomposition; where microorganisms break down matter without oxygen. After a year or two the aerobic (with oxygen) decomposition starts to occur and our problem arises. Aerobic decomposition is where we start to see bacteria that produce methane come into play, break down the matter further, and release methane into our environment. Due to this constant cycle, landfills are composed of 50% methane, which unlike carbon dioxide, is about 30 times more potent and destructive when it comes to trapping heat within the ozone. 

Composting is also an excellent way to save water and money! It also provides a very nutrient rich environment for plants to thrive and grow, leading to a greener and healthier garden.

2 | HOW TO START YOUR COMPOST 

Starting your compost is a fairly easy task however, it is one that requires patience. There are several ways to start your compost and don't be afraid to try different things. Here I have outlined a general idea:

First you should pick a place in your backyard (make sure it is at least 2ft x 2ft) where you want to start your compost (usually hidden in a corner or in the back). You can dig a hole, or if you prefer to make it look tidy feel free to use a bin or bucket. Then all you have to do is add your compost and turn the mixture every week or so. Slowly over the next couple months you will have nutrient rich soil that will be great for any garden! 

You can also add a small metal bucket or compost bin to your kitchen that will allow the transition between the dinner plate and the garden to be a bit easier and less frequent. If you are worried about the smell, you can add black charcoal to the mixture which will neutralize it!

Lastly, what can you compost? Below is a list of odd things you can compost besides what you scrape off your plate.

- Crushed egg shells
- Coffee grounds
- Milk
- Tea bags
- Crushed candy
- Popcorn kernels
- Moldy dairy products
- Wine corks
- Beer and wine
- Toilet paper rolls
- Cotton balls
- Old pet foot
- Dryer Lint
- Face wipes
- Toothpicks

3 | CONCLUSION

Composting is one of many different ways that you can contribute to helping the planet and get into the hobby of gardening! Both are great ways to make your lifestyle more sustainable and enjoy the outdoors. Whether you live in an apartment or a house, composting may be for you and may be one of the small ways you reduce your carbon foot print and live green.

Photograph by Max Rivera Patton