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Why should I compost?
Composting is a great way to help reduce the waste that goes directly into our
landfill. According the United States Environmental Protection Agency
(Characterization of Municipal Solid Waste in the United States, 1997 Update,
May 1998), yard trimmings and kitchen scraps make up 20-30% of all household
waste, take up space in landfills, and create landfill leaching as they
decompose. Ultimately, composting helps to turn those kitchen scraps and organic
waste into a renewable resource that can be used throughout your garden.
What environmental benefit does composting offer?
Not only are you cutting down the waste going to landfills, but you are also
helping to improve the quality of the soil in your garden and backyard. Adding
compost to your current soil improves its overall structure, texture and
aeration. Compost material also helps harvest food for microorganisms, which aid
in keeping the soil healthy and vital.
How difficult is composting?
Composting is very easy. You just collect your kitchen scraps and other organic
materials (like leaves, grass clipping, etc.) and pile them into your compost
bin. The following link provides more information associated with composting, as
well as a chart on the different items that you can compost: http://www.compostguide.com/.
What should I use to compost?
You can either make your own compost container, assemble one using prefabricated
supplies or buy one. There are several different options for a compost device
and so it’s up to you to determine which one best meets your needs.
What is a simple way to start composting?
I actually bought my compost bin online and had it shipped to my house. I found
it very easy to put together. I placed it in my backyard next to my trash cans
so that it was easy to get to. I then use an old kitchen pot with a lid for
collecting my kitchen scraps. I empty the pot daily and can easily rinse it out
so that it doesn’t attract fruit flies. I found that the resources on line were
adequate enough to allow me to start composting. By next spring, my compost
should be ready for my garden.
Additional composting references:
http://www.cleanairgardening.com/
http://www.epa.gov/epaoswer/non-hw/composting/by_compost.htm
http://www.ext.colostate.edu/PUBS/gardenQ&A/gqa060630.html
http://recyclestuff.org/Guides/Composting.htm
http://www.composters.com