Yep, it's a notion at GOING GREEN! we haven't really touched on much. But composting your organic waste can be just as important as recycling other products. We go through so much food in ONE DAY. It is quite bizarre how much food we, as Americans, use. So why not make good use of what's left? We feel this topic is even more crucial with all the excess food our holiday dinners consist of, and a simple step with some benefits to try out as we enter this chaotic season.Below is a link to an article that shares how San Fransisco has made Food Recycling a law and how the community has embraced it with open arms. A very encouraging read.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=113969321
*So how about all of us who don't live in San Fransisco? (Well, kind-of bummed since it's such a beautiful city!). Here are some tips, also from the article, that can shed some light on this mysterious "Composting Tip". Much simpler then it may seem!*
Bin: Keep food waste in a bin with a ventilated lid in your kitchen; then mix it with yard waste and soil in a compost bin outside. After several months, the broken-down concoction can be returned to the garden or the ground.
Foods: First-time composters should stick to innocuous items such as coffee grounds, tea bags, vegetable and fruit scraps and corn husks. Greasy foods, dairy products, meat scraps and bones will make the pile stink and could attract critters.
Non-foods: Incorporate yard waste into the pile; grass clippings, leaves, shrub waste and wood chips work well. A mixture of wet and dry items will help the pile break down faster.
Maintenance: To thrive and decompose, a compost pile requires oxygen and a good carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. Periodically mixing up the compost with a shovel, adding shredded cardboard to the pile and making sure the bin gets adequate ventilation can help in these two areas.
Temperature: Compost decomposes best when it's between 90 and 135 degrees Fahrenheit. Retain heat by keeping your pile in the sun. Purchase a black compost bin or buy an insulation jacket for your bin.
Some communities, maybe yours, have systems like San Francisco's. Visit http://www.findacomposter.com/ to find service providers in your area.
Enjoy and have a Happy "green" Thanksgiving! We're very thankful for YOU!
2 comments:
Thanks for the "how to"-- attracting critters has always been my big fear when it comes to starting a compost pile.
Great tip!
That's been my worry as well. But i love that you can use it for gardening.
Thx u for reading BETH! Pass it on!
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