It’s a real pain to have to take the trash out. It’s messy, it smells, and it contributes to landfills. However, there is one way to reduce your garbage production drastically, that will also almost completely eliminate the problems that come with garbage: Composting!
Why is composting so great?
Composting turns food scraps into a wonderful fertilizer you can use in a garden or a pot. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S dumps about 133 billion pounds of food per year into landfills, which is about one third of the amount of food produced annually! This food waste can be drastically reduced with more composting, because it creates a natural outlet for wasted food to go, and takes as little as 3-4 weeks to decompose compared to food waste in landfills that can take up to six months.
How do I compost?
You can purchase a small inexpensive compost bin for your kitchen or if you have a couple of square feet outdoors, you can create a box outside! Some cities, such as Boulder, CO and Brooklyn, NY have free city-wide composting programs for all residents. But you don't need an organized program to compost in your home. For more info on how to get started, check out this link.
Step One: Choose a compost bin & place to put it
There are many different bins you can use to make your compost. Outside bins can be made out of plastic or wood, or you can purchase a ready-made one in a variety of different sizes and shapes. If you don't have space outside, you can buy a kitchen composter that sits right on your counter. Either way, just make sure to put it in a space that is easily accessible.
Step Two: Add the correct materials
You want to add an even amount of “green” and “brown” materials, to ensure the process runs smoothly. Green materials include: vegetable and fruits, grass, coffee grounds, weeds and hedge trimmings. Brown materials include: Leaves, hay, straw, paper, cardboard, egg shells, and teabags.
Then what?
Keep putting your food and plant waste into the compost bin. It can take anywhere from four weeks to a year to change over to dirt, depending on factors like what you put in, the temperature, and how much mixing you do. Once it turns, you can use your new dirt in potted plants, outdoor gardens, tree beds, or you can even put it in the garbage - it will be smaller volume and less smelly than rotting food would have been.
There are two ways to enter:
1. Comment below and tell us: Does composting seem like a possibility for you and your family? Or if you already compost, what are some tips or strategies that make it easy for you?
2. Tweet about the giveaway: “Entered the #SheSpeaksCompost Giveaway to win an in-home composting bin, thx to @SheSpeaksUp! bit.ly/2jEZUAQ"
*One lucky commenter or Tweeter will be chosen at random to receive a Full Circle Kitchen Composter. Giveaway is open through October 8th, 2017 to U.S. residents at least 18 years of age. Entrants must be a member of SheSpeaks. If you are not a member, click here to join. Winner will be notified by email.
Our daughter has been after us for some time to start composting. After reading this post from SheSpeaks, it seems like something that we could do. Winning a composter would give us the start we need!
I want to compost but do not have a good space on my small lot to place a pile unlike when I was growing up on a farm and we were able to have a compost pile hidden among the trees.
Composting looks like a great idea for my family and I need to do it! I already have a flower garden and this would definitely fit into our lifestyle. Can't wait to try it!
Sounds perfect for us to try!
I loved helping my grandmother compost when i was a kid, and i definitely think i could create that same interest with my family and we could use composting for many purposes.
Composting is a definite possibility but I would need a smaller rather than larger composter.
Composting is so easy. Just avoid anything with dairy, meat, fats or yeast.
I would do it in a minute but think I would have a hard time getting my husband to participate.
We are transitioning to a greener home and having a compost pile would definitely help grow our garden and be a teachable moment for my kids.
Yes compsting is definitely an option for my family and i. I have always had composting at the back of my mimd and im so ready to give it a shot!!
We compost casually with good results. Wish we had more time for bigger results.
Add sawdust and turn the composting frequently.
We have been pile composting for a while now. We have a pile in the outer edge of our yard. We collect food scraps and lawn clippings. It really cuts down on trash!
I've always wanted to compost but never have tried. It would be great for my flower beds!
We have a compost bin but it's a bit time consuming so we only do it off and on