According to the US EPA, “Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away, and should be composted instead. Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.” Backyard composting is a great way to reduce the amount of waste you contribute to landfills AND provide a valuable and economical natural fertilizer for your garden. Whether you build your own compost enclosure or purchase a pre-made bin, there’s a solution for every backyard. Darby Hoover, of the Natural Resources Defense Council, says, “You don’t need a lot of technology. You just want to make the food break down in a way that’s compatible with your life.”
You can build your own outdoor compost bin or purchase a ready-made unit. This brief video from Tyler Arboretum can help you figure out how to get started. And this guide from NRDC spells out which items will compost well and which won’t. For example, meat, bones, and cooking oils are unlikely to break down completely in a small compost pile and can attract rodents and other pests. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, on the other hand, will contribute to making your garden flourish. Also check out the EPA website for more information about the benefits of composting and how to do it. The USDA also offers extensive practical information on its website. You can even compost on a small scale indoors using a plastic bin with a lid.
You can build your own outdoor compost bin or purchase a ready-made unit. This brief video from Tyler Arboretum can help you figure out how to get started. And this guide from NRDC spells out which items will compost well and which won’t. For example, meat, bones, and cooking oils are unlikely to break down completely in a small compost pile and can attract rodents and other pests. Vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and eggshells, on the other hand, will contribute to making your garden flourish. Also check out the EPA website for more information about the benefits of composting and how to do it. The USDA also offers extensive practical information on its website. You can even compost on a small scale indoors using a plastic bin with a lid.
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