In a previous post, we talked about how composting is a good way to reduce food waste and help the environment. But what is composting exactly? How do you compost? Is it different from recycling? Well, look no further, because in this post we will break down the basics of composting and give you some guidelines on how you can compost.
You may be familiar with recycling; recycling plastic bottles and paper to minimize pollution and help keep the earth green. It helps decrease the amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere. When trash is taken to landfills and burned, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide are released. These gases trap heat and raise the overall temperature of the earth, which is one cause of climate change.
Composting reduces the amount of trash burned in landfills, becomes nutrients for the soil, and minimizes the need for chemical fertilizers.
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Did you know? 25% of what we throw in the trash consists of food waste, i.e. apple cores, egg and nut shells, and coffee grounds that can be composted. |
What to compost
Here are some do’s and don’ts of composting.
Do compost:
- Fruit and vegetable scraps
- Egg shells
- Tea bags
- Coffee grounds
Don’t Compost:
- Meat, bones, or fish scraps
- Doing so will attract pests
- Animal feces and contents of litter boxes
- Doing so will contaminate the compost
There are other rules that apply to composting at home, so feel free to check out our composting at home post.
Where to compost
Nowadays, many places have compost bins right next to trash and recycling bins. If you do not compost at home, you can drop off compost to compost sites near you. Most towns and cities have compost sites. If you do not compost at home, you can drop off waste to compost sites near you. If you want to compost at home, check out this post to learn how to get started!
What questions do you have about composting?
