Whenever I suggest to someone that they should try composting, I hear all sorts of excuses.  It’s too much work, it will smell, it will attract pests, I don’t have the space, I don’t garden…

I am going to tell you how easy it is, and why we should all be doing it.

Think for a minute.  What went into this week’s kitchen trashcan?  Coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, banana peels, apple cores, wilted lettuce, moldy tomatoes, the list goes on.

Do you think about what happens to your trash once it leaves your house?  Probably not.  Out of sight, out of mind, right?  Guess what, that trash you throw out will most likely sit in a landfill for decades.  It will take lifetimes to decompose, and it is contributing to the destruction of this planet.  Thanks.  Thanks for kicking our struggling planet when it’s already down.

But really, we throw out too much and we waste too much.  But the good thing is, a lot of our garbage can transform into really really awesome good stuff.  I know I didn’t state any stats or research, but it’s been a very long time since I’ve written a research paper, and I didn’t feel like dusting off my APA writing style textbook.  But the internet is a great place.  Look up composting and landfills and you’ll find a lot of information.  Even though I didn’t give you any stats, just look at the trash bags you take out to the curb.  And then look down the street at the other houses…every single week.  That’s some real shit right there.

Now that I’ve made you feel sufficiently guilty, let’s talk about how we can work together to decrease our waste.

A few years ago, I did not know or care about composting.  Then I happened to read an article about how slowly trash decomposes at landfills.  All the junk I carelessly toss is literally trashing the planet.  I still have a ways to go with reducing and reusing, but I’m not quitting.  Now, I’m throwing less away and I’m saving money on trash bags.

So, what is composting?

Compost is organic matter that helps plants grow healthier, reduces use of chemical fertilizers, and enriches soil.

Basically you find a sunny spot and mix things like fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, tea bags, popsicle sticks, grass clippings, yard waste, leaves, twigs, even hair, shredded cotton and wool, and shredded newspaper.  Check periodically to make sure it’s not too wet or dry, and give it a stir to add oxygen to speed up decomposition.  After a few months, you should be seeing a dark brown, crumbly matter that looks like potting soil.

Do not include meat, bones, dairy, fats because that can attract pests.  There should be very little smell or pests if you stir the pile every few weeks and make sure to bury food scraps in leaves and twigs.

I collect my food waste in a plastic bowl with a lid, and keep it in the fridge for the week,  When it is full, I take it outside.  You don’t have to keep it in the fridge, but I like how it doesn’t stink as quickly, and it doesn’t attract bugs.

That was a very quick run through of how to compost.  You can find complete guides like http://www.homecompostingmadeeasy.com/index.html for more information.

This is the compost bin I recently bought.  For the last few years, I’ve been giving my dad all my food waste because he has a compost pile already.  But I am spreading my wings and dealing with my own shit now.  I like how this bin has a cover to deter animals from getting in.  The bottom is open so worms and moisture can come in and out as needed.  It has a sliding door to easily shovel out compost.  There are many other types of bins available, so don’t think you can’t do this just because you are in an apartment or townhouse.

Some counties have composting programs so check if your area has an existing program so you don’t have to do much work.  And if you’re thinking, I hate gardening, I don’t even have a yard, what will I do with the compost?  You can give it to your friends and family, or you can even sell it to them.  Compost is expensive to buy!

If you are interested in composting but don’t have time to look into it, I can help you.  Just say the word.  If you still don’t want to bother with composting after reading all this…(deep breath), I hope you change your mind in the future.

I will update you guys in a few months once I successfully have compost.