Introduction
Composting is a way communities can improve the resilience of their local environment by turning their natural waste into nutrient rich soil. The best part of this process is that it is simple and can be done in your backyard!
Why should you compost?
Currently, we are facing a global waste crisis due to the accumulation and improper management of discarded materials. Composting is a way for communities and people to help relieve this crisis by disposing of their natural materials in other matters instead of allowing them to end up in landfills. Similarly, the process of composting can create healthier soil by increasing the diversity of the soil microbiome.
What can be composted?
Generally anything that was once living, produced by a living product, or contained a naturalproduct is able to be composted. However, there are certain materials to avoid adding to your compost as they can harbor diseases or not degrade properly.
Good to compost
Do not compost
How to compost
- Find a space to compost Choose an area that is not near a fence and is, preferably, near a water source.
- Set aside a bin for composting Bins can be made of wood or wire and should be closed. There are also a variety of bins you can buy that make mixing easier.
- Prepare your ingredients Before adding them to the compost, break up large waste items into smaller pieces to help them decompose faster.
- Build your compost pile Start your compost with some soil or leaves for the first decomposition layer. Then add your waste in layers, making sure there are more browns (dry leaves, soil, etc.) than greens (food scraps, etc.).
- Ensure proper circulation Compost needs moisture and air to decompose properly. Keep it slightly damp and mix or turn it regularly to increase air circulation.
- Harvest your finished compost When your compost looks like dark, crumbly dirt and all materials have decomposed, you can add it to your soil or garden. Sift it if needed to remove any undecomposed pieces.
🌿Whether you are a seasoned gardener or are simply interested in helping your local environment, composting is a great, impactful activity to consider.