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While many communities now have local recycling drop-off locations and others offer curbside recycling, unnecessary items are still being sent to landfills.According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food scraps and yard waste account for more than 30% of what we throw away, with24% of trashcoming from food waste, making it the single largest contributor to landfills. Before we can begin to discuss the benefits of composting, it’s best to have a general understanding of what composting is—and how to do it properly.
How to Compost
Composting at home doesn’t have to be complicated. But before you can get started, you’ll want to invest in a kitchen compost bin to keep everything contained and odorless.
Composting requires 4 basic components:
Composting should include a balanced mix of the green and brown contributions to be most effective. Adding water and keeping your compost pile moist are essential to helping the organic matter break down.
What to Include in Your Compost Bin:
What Not to Put in Your Compost Bin:
Benefits of Composting
It Helps Reduce Waste
In addition to reducing the amount of waste you send to the landfill, composting can also lower your carbon footprint.According to the EPA, the breakdown of organic waste in landfills generates methane (a potent greenhouse gaslinked to climate change). By composting wasted food and other organic materials, you can help reduce methane emissions.
It’s Great for Your Garden
Compost can be used as a natural fertilizer in your garden and therefore reduce the need for potentially harmful chemical fertilizers.According to the EPA, compost also fosters beneficial bacteria and fungi that break down organic matter to create humus, a rich nutrient-filled material.
It Can Help Us Save Money
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