Composting – Good for You, Your Garden and the Environment
May 7, 2011 Roots of ChangeIt’s International Compost Awareness Week! What are you doing to help support our environment and food system? As a supporter of this educational initiative, ROC is providing you with some helpful tips and advice related to composting.
Why Should I Start Composting
Good for the Environment: The US generates more than 34 million tons1 of food waste each year. Can you imagine the effect this is having on our landfills? As food waste continues to pile up and decay, it releases methane gas, which the EPA states is 21 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide. Instead of filling our landfills with usable organic material, let’s do something for our environment.
Great Soil Nutrient for Gardens: If you have a garden, you can start your own compost relatively easily. You will just need to invest in some basic materials to get started, such as a composting bin. Read Composting in Three Easy Steps for a simple introduction to composting. Using compost for your garden can help improve your soil while potentially improving your produce yields. According to Compost Guide, “Adding compost improves soil fertility and stimulates healthy root development in plants.” 2
Helpful Tips
Control How Much Food You Buy: We often waste food because we are cooking or preparing too much of it. Before you re-stock your fridge, store your food wisely, plan your meals in advance and eat your leftovers.
Find the Nearest Compost Facilities in Your Region: Many U.S. cities offer composting pick-up, much like a recycling program. If you want more information regarding your regional and state composting programs please visit the EPA helpful guide.
What to Compost & What not to Compost: Knowing what’s okay to compost and what’s not can be confusing. Therefore, we encourage you to view the EPA’s “In & Out” composting guidelines.
Thank you for joining us in this week’s Healthy Food & Planet series to help protect the nutrients in California’s rich soil, keep our air and water clean for future generations.
1 Basic Information about Food Waste. U.S Environmental Protection Agency. Retrieved May 4, 2011 from http://www.epa.gov/osw/
2 Why Make Compost? Compost Guide. Retrieved May 4, 2011 from http://compostguide.com/
