Why You Should Compost & How To Start At Home

By : Sequoia Edwards

disclaimer: I have no affiliation with Sierra Club, this is for a class project.

Why Compost?

Discarded food occupies most of the space in US landfills. Not only is organic matter wasting away while creating unpleasant odors, but it eventually emits a powerful greenhouse gas known as methane. Methane is a huge contributor to global warming. High levels of methane reduce oxygen from the air so you can begin to see the problem.

There is a way to prevent this and it is called “composting”. Composting is the process of recycling organic materials, like banana peels and tea bags, into fertilizer. This entire process immensely slows the effects of climate change. Composting is massively sustainable and environmentally friendly for many living organisms including humans. Like many problems, it starts with our food. We encourage everyone to practice the three easy principles to combat climate change and waste which is to reduce, reuse, and recycle.

How to Compost With A Yard

1.Find a dry, shady area away from your house
2.Law down sticks or straw in that area
3.Add compost to the pile
4.Add manure, sticks, and dirt
5.Turn every few weeks

How to Compost Without A Yard

1. Make or buy an indoor or outdoor compost bin
2. Began to accumulate compostable materials (listed below)
3. Keep the compost moist with water
4. Recycle in the public compost bin when full

List of Compostable Materials

Fruits & Veggie Scraps

Coffee Grounds

Dry Leaves Flowers
Paper Tea Bags

Shredded Cardboard

Grass Clippings
Crushed Eggshells

Plant Stalks

Cooked Rice