Why compost? Well, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, nearly a quarter of the waste we produce in the country is organic material that can be composted. If everyone started composting at home, we could keep millions of tons of organic waste out of landfills, which would help cut down the amount of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere.
Composting is a natural way to recycle certain food scraps and yard waste. It’s a simple way for people to support the environment while also improving soil quality to help plants thrive. Did you know that just one year of home composting can offset the amount of carbon dioxide your kettle or washing machine emits over three months?
Turning waste into what’s often called “black gold” is what composting is all about. This nutrient-rich organic matter comes from decomposed materials that break down with the help of oxygen. Through this process, composting starts a cycle of regeneration that boosts the whole nutrient cycle. You can use the compost you create at home in your garden, lawn, or potted plants.
Composting can be done almost anywhere—whether it’s a small indoor bin in an apartment, a pile in the backyard, or even in office settings where compostable waste is collected and sent to a facility for processing.
The EPA suggests that about a quarter of what ends up in our landfills could have been composted. When we compost, we not only keep waste out of landfills but also put it to good use. One major benefit of composting is that it helps cut down on methane emissions from landfills—a potent greenhouse gas that’s released when food waste decomposes without enough air.
Compost brings valuable nutrients back into the soil, helping maintain its quality and fertility. It’s a mild and slow-release fertilizer that won’t harm plants like some chemical fertilizers can. Composting enriches the soil by adding more organic materials and micronutrients.
By composting at home, you can reduce your trash output, meaning you require fewer trash pickups. This results in fewer garbage trucks burning fossil fuels on their way to the landfill.
Going green might seem pricey, like when you choose local foods or products made in America. But composting is inexpensive—often only requiring a compost bin to get started.
Not only does composting benefit the environment, but it also saves you money. You’ll see lower water bills since you’ll need less irrigation, and using fewer chemical fertilizers means fewer trips to the store. Plus, having less trash means lower waste fees.
To get the most out of your compost, break down yard waste into smaller pieces before adding them to your compost pile, and steer clear of diseased leaves or plants, as they can contaminate your compost.
