Up to 40% of food in the US goes to waste, and a significant portion of that waste ends up in municipal landfills. You can help reduce food waste by composting.
What is composting?
To break it down into the most simple explanation:
Organic composting is a natural process where a pile of yard waste and kitchen scraps is broken down by bacteria, fungi, and worms. This produces an organic material praised as “black gold,” which is then added to the soil to improve its structure, fertility, and water holding capacity.
How does composting happen?
The composting process requires five components:
- Carbon (C)
- Nitrogen (N)
- Moisture
- Oxygen (O2)
- Microorganisms
Microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, bugs, and worms break down organic material in three stages to create compost. The amount of time the process takes is determined by the size of the pile, the types of materials used, and how often it is stirred.
The right mixture of carbon and nitrogen creates the perfect environment for microorganisms to thrive, which in turn provides more nutrients for plants to grow. The more nutrients in the soil, the more plant life will prosper.
According to the Daily Gardener, experts say that the composting process can take a few months to three years. However, there are some steps you can take to speed up the process so that your lawn and garden will be in better shape faster.
Composting is important for living sustainably and can help improve your garden. Here are some tips on how to do it.
The 3 stages of composting
Stage 1: Initial organic decomposition
The first stage of composting involves mesophilic organisms breaking down materials into smaller pieces. This stage takes a couple of days and increases the internal temperature of the pile.
Stage 2: Complex organics break down
The second stage of decomposition starts when the temperature becomes too warm for mesophiles and thermophilic microorganisms take over.
Thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive in high temperatures. These higher temperatures let thermophiles efficiently break down proteins, fats, and complex carbohydrates into finer particles. Stage two can span several days or even months depending on the conditions within the compost pile.
Stage 3: Break down
Thermophiles are microorganisms that thrive in high temperatures. As they break down organic matter, the temperature of the pile starts to lower, allowing mesophiles to take over the process. Mesophiles are microorganisms that thrive in moderate temperatures. They finish breaking down the organic materials, allowing them to mature into usable compost.
Understanding the materials in a compost pile
Brown materials are generally low in nitrogen and include items such as dead leaves, twigs, and branches. Green materials are high in nitrogen and include items such as grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and fruit peels. Most decomposable materials in compost piles can be classified as either brown or green materials. Brown materials, which are generally low in nitrogen, include items such as dead leaves, twigs, and branches. Green materials, which are high in nitrogen, include items such as grass clippings, vegetable scraps, and fruit peels.
Materials for composting 101:
- Brown materials are carbon-rich items that provide energy to the microorganisms in the pile and give compost its light, fluffy body. Typical brown items are wood-based or fibrous: dry leaves, branches, stems, sawdust, tree bark, shredded newspaper, corn stalks, wood ash, and pine needles.
- Green materials are nitrogen-based waste materials. They provide amino acids and proteins needed for the bacteria and fungi to do their job. Manures, food scraps, coffee grounds, green leaves, and grass clippings are excellent nitrogen-rich green materials.
A good way to make sure your compost pile has the right ratio of materials is to have two-thirds “brown” materials and one-third “green” materials.
Why should I compost?
Composting can help reduce the amount of garbage sent to landfills, which can help reduce methane gas production and control trash can odor. Composting can also provide rich fertilizer for gardens or donation.
What can I compost?
A majority of your compost material can be composed of food scraps and yard waste, including items from your kitchen and garden. However, other household items like newspaper and hair can also be added to the mix.
?? Food
- Fruit and vegetable peels and scrap
- Mushroom scraps
- Eggshells
- Bread, grains, and pasta
- Coffee grounds and some coffee filters
- Loose teas and tea bags
?? Yard
- Grass
- Leaves
- Wood ash
- Sawdust
?? Other
- Newspaper
- Cardboard
- Dryer lint
- Hair
- Nail clippings
- Brown paper bags
- Toothpicks
- Matches
- Cut flowers
What can I not compost?
Dairy products, animal products, and fats will start to smell over time and attract pests, so it is best to put them in the garbage. Insect-ridden plants could contaminate your compost, so it is best to not add them to the pile.
?? Food
- Meat or animal bones
- Dairy
- Egg whites or yolks
?? Yard
- Diseased leaves or plants
- Coal ash
?? Other
- Grease
- Chemicals
- Pet waste
- Produce stickers
- Plastic
- Fats and oils
Different ways to compost
Different methods for backyard composting offer flexibility and vary in cost and difficulty. The main difference is where and how you pile your materials.
- Piling is a simple, common process. Materials are literally heaped into a pile and turned periodically to aerate.
- Composting bins are either open or enclosed bins that contain everything. Open bins are a partial structure allowing for ventilation and aeration while keeping materials confined. One side is easily accessible to add materials and turn the pile. Enclosed bins completely enclose the process via a lid and eliminate both the sight of a compost pile and the smell.
- Tumblers are a unique, efficient type of enclosed compost bin. Cylindrical in nature, a tumbler has hand-held insets or a handle that allows it to be “turned” or tumbled easily.
- Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is a variation of composting that relies heavily on a type of worms called red wigglers to break down the materials. It is often done in a specialized worm bin and focuses mainly on compostable kitchen waste.
Steps to build a simple compost pile
The easiest way to compost is to pile it up in your yard and take care of it as needed. Put it in a dry, shady spot near a water source if possible.
- Clear a space in your yard or garden, exposing bare soil.
- Build a base layer of straw or twigs. A few inches help provide good drainage.
- Add layers of materials to be composted one at a time, alternating between brown and green materials.
- Incorporate a nitrogen source to start decomposition. Some gardeners add a handful of nitrogen fertilizers to jumpstart the process.
- Keep the pile moist. It’s recommended that the materials should feel like a damp sponge – wet enough that you can feel the water, but not so wet you can squeeze water out if you grab a handful.
- Turn the compost pile every couple of weeks to allow the center of the pile to “heat up”. Aeration provides oxygen to the microorganisms involved in the composting process and mixes the pile.
What materials can be composted?
- Fruit and vegetable peels
- Coffee grounds
- Eggshells
- Tea
- Leaves
- Wood
- Shredded paper
- Soiled cardboard
What materials can’t be composted?
- Animal byproducts – dairy, bones, and meat
- Foods rich in fat and oil (i.e. mayonnaise, peanut butter, salad dressing, or vegetable oils)
- Feces (animal or human)
- Garden waste treated with pesticides
- Garden waste from sick plants
- Weeds
- Plastics (even biodegradable ones)
How can I compost outside?
If you want to compost in your backyard, learn the dos and don’ts to set yourself up for success. Selen Nehrozoglu, a research assistant at the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station in New Brunswick, NJ, shared her helpful tips on how to manage your organic waste:
- Create a compost zone. If you plan to use a compost bin, make sure it’s convenient to access and that there is room for a lid to open. Nehrozoglu says it’s fine to use any sealable containers for both indoor and outdoor compost storage. “For indoor compost, containers with lids that twist shut have worked well in my experience,” she says. “They are easy to open and close while also keeping the scent contained.”
You need at least 3 square feet of open space to start a compost pile. Scatter some twigs or straw in the area to ensure aeration and drainage. Use chicken wire or fencing to protect your pile from animals such as raccoons (or even the neighbor's dog).
- Balance “green” and “brown” materials. Whether you opt for a bin or a pile, Nehrozoglu says a helpful ratio for compost composition is roughly two-thirds “brown matter” (sticks, dry leaves, or dirt) and one-third “green matter” (food scraps or fresh plant waste). Maintaining a balance is important because “brown” materials are rich in carbon, feeding the organisms that break down the scraps, and “green” materials supply nitrogen — key for building the cell structure of your new soil.
Linda says that as a general rule, she likes to add enough brown matter to fully cover the food scraps. She uses a shovel to mix the materials together, chopping down any of the more bulky food scraps like melon peels. After mixing, she adds a thin layer of brown matter on top.
- Manage the moisture. If your pile doesn’t receive enough rain, you will need to add water with a watering can or hose. You could also opt to add wet scraps when moisture is needed. You’re going for damp, not soaking.
If you live in an area with a lot of rain, it's a good idea to keep your compost pile covered with something like a loose tarp. This will keep it from getting too wet, which can cause rot and destroy helpful microorganisms.
- Turn your compost. Your compost also needs oxygen. Without air, your pile will start to rot and smell, so you’ll need to rotate and stir the pile. With the right mixture of scrap, moisture, and air, your compost should smell like nothing but earthy dirt. Nehrozoglu says that for manual mixing — use a pitchfork— you’ll ideally turn the scraps every two to four weeks.
A tumbler bin is a type of bin that is used to mix compost. These bins typically include an internal rail that helps to break up the compost and improve aeration. Most manufacturers recommend that you spin the bin every two to three days in order to mix the compost properly.
When checking the temperature of your compost, it should feel warm in the center. The ideal temperature to maintain is between 130-150 degrees Fahrenheit. When the compost is ready, it will no longer generate heat and will look similar to soil.
How can I compost inside?
Whether you’re in an apartment or a house without a backyard, you can set up a mini collection station right in your kitchen so you don't have to trash food scraps. See below for a step-by-step guide from the experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute:
- Get a compost bin with a tight-fitting lid. Whether you opt for a plastic bin or a stainless steel version, make sure it comes with a lid. Some plastic versions may absorb smells, explains Laurie Jennings, GH Institute director, which is why she uses an old stainless steel ice bucket with a matching lid on her countertop to collect compostable material.
- Line your compost bin with biodegradable bags. While it’s tempting to want to reuse plastic bags from the grocery store, these aren’t biodegradable and can defeat the purpose of your composting. Jennings swears by BioBag’s compostable bags (available in 3- and 13-gallon sizes) even after trying a number of more expensive brands.
- Store full compost bags in your freezer. You'll want to replace the bag regularly so weeks-old scraps don't start to stink up your space. Once your bin is at capacity, secure the bag, and place it in the freezer. This will make scraps easier to transport, eliminate any odor, halt active decomposition and buy you some time if you can’t immediately get rid of them.
- Find a local collection service or drop-off location. If you don’t have a garden in which to compost your scraps, see if your community offers collection services. Contact your local municipality or visit CompostNow's site which lists participating services around the country — some even provide at-home starter kits and regular curbside pickup. The rules all depend on where you live. If you bring your own waste to a transfer station, check with them too: Many have designated compost areas.
Do’s and don’ts of composting
To help speed up the decomposition process in your compost pile, remember to keep the correct balance of brown and green materials, and the proper amount of water.
DO
- Chop all materials into smaller pieces.
- Cover the top of the pile if you live in a rainy climate.
- Add nitrogen fertilizer if your brown ratio is too high.
- Add pulverized eggshells to increase the calcium in your finished compost.
DON’T
- Don’t keep food waste at the top of the pile where it can attract rodents.
- Don’t put plant roots, diseased plant tissue, or pesticide-infected plant matter in the pile.
Materials to avoid in your compost pile:
- Meat and bones
- Dairy products
- Fats and oils
- Pet waste
- Raspberry brambles
- Large sticks or branches
- Pressure-treated wood
- Leaves or twigs from black walnut trees
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