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Composting tips, advice and science.

What is Composting? A Complete Introduction

Imagine there was something you could do which would save you money, reduce harm to the environment and turn a waste product into something which can create lasting benefits for your soil and plants!

There is, and it’s called composting !

Composting is the science and art of taking organic waste (essentially anything which has recently been alive) and turning it into a rich, nutritious soil amendment – compost. 

In the process, it diverts food from landfill, reduces harmful emissions, reduces the need for fertilizer and improves the structure and fertility of soil. It also creates a product that you would otherwise need to buy for your garden.

In this guide, we will delve into the world of composting, answering the essential question: what is composting?

We’ll explore the science behind it, its benefits, and how you can make your own compost at home. Throughout this guide, you’ll find links to detailed articles for further reading, enabling you to become a master composter in no time!

Table of Contents

What are the benefits of composting, it's good for the environment.

Composting diverts waste from landfill, where it creates harmful methane emissions which damage the environment.

Compost also stabilizes the nutrients in waste, and  reduces the need for fertilizer, which releases harmful substances into our ponds, lakes and rivers. 

It helps fixes carbon in the ground, prevents erosion and can help clean contaminated ground (especially when worms are involved!)

It’s good for your soil

Compost delivers some nutrients to plants. 

However, its true magic occurs in the soil. Here, it increases both aeration and moisture retention and feeds the microorganisms which have a beneficial relationship with your plants. 

Research also shows that compost reduces plant pests and diseases. 

It may be good for your health too!

Studies suggest that plants grown in compost are richer in nutrients. Those plants require fewer pesticides, and the reduced need for fertilizers means we have cleaner water.  Some research even suggests that compost may help with our mental health!

Learn More:

The science of composting

When you add organic material to a compost bin or pile, microbes start to break it down. 

Bacteria usually start the process. If the conditions are right, these bacteria will generate heat. Then bacteria which love heat will join in, breaking down the material more quickly. 

After the bacteria have exhausted easily available food, fungi will start to play a bigger role. These fungi are particularly important in breaking down tougher material. They are joined by physical decomposers, such as woodlice and worms. 

If the compost heap is low in air, bacteria that don’t like air will do most of the work. This will still make compost, but it will also produce lots of methane, which is bad for the environment. 

How do you make compost?

Making compost is very easy. All you need to do is heap material into a pile and you will (eventually!) get compost. 

However, if you want to speed the process up, and you want the highest quality result, a little knowledge can really help!

To make compost more quickly, and get better results, you need five things:

• Insulation  
• A mixture of high carbon (brown) and high nitrogen (green) materials  
• Broken down compost materials 

Learn More: The Five Rules of Hot Composting

Compost bin, pile or tumbler?

A compost heap is cheap and easy and is great for larger quantities. 

However, a compost bin can help keep the compost structure, while a well-designed bin will also provide aeration and insulation. 

Compost tumblers feature a barrel design which makes it easy to turn the compost. However, independent tests by Which! Magazine found that they can take longer to make compost than compost bins.

Aerobic and anaerobic composting methods

Most compost methods can be broken into two types. 

• Aerobic (with air) composting : The decomposition of materials is done by microorganisms and physical decomposers which need air. 
• Anerobic (without air) composting : The breakdown of materials takes place in an oxygen-deprived environment.

What’s the difference? Aerobic composting is quicker and produces fewer odors. Anaerobic composting also produces larger amounts of methane, which is worse for the environment. 

Here’s some examples of Aerobic and Anaerobic compost methods:

What can you compost?

Theoretically, you can compost nearly anything that has recently been alive. 

However, organic materials should only be tackled by experienced composters with hot compost heaps (or certain anaerobic compost methods).

The table below gives you some examples, of what you can and can’t compost:

Learn More: What can you compost?   &  The myth of non-compostable items

What tools do you need to make compost?

You need very few tools to make compost. You need a fork and something to carry the material in, but you probably already have those. 

As with every hobby, though, the more interested you get the more tools you can use.

These include a thermometer, an aerator (to put air into the compost) and compost forks (to help you turn compost).

Wrapping Up

Hopefully, this introduction has given you an overview of what composting is. 

Remember, there are many ways to compost, and you can easily pick the ones that suit you and your garden. 

You can easily get started with the linked guides here. However, if you want to learn more about composting and stay up to date with our guides, do follow us on Facebook , where we share regular tips and tricks to get faster, better compost!

The composting process can vary from a few weeks to several months  or even a year, depending on the materials used, the environment, and the composting method. 

Can I compost in any season?

Yes, composting can be done year-round. However, the process slows down in cooler weather and speeds up in warmer temperatures.

A healthy compost pile should not emit a bad smell. If it does, it may be too wet or lacking air. Adding dry, brown materials and turning the pile can help alleviate this problem.

Chopping or shredding the waste into smaller pieces, turning the pile regularly to aerate it, and maintaining a good balance of green and brown materials can all help to speed up composting. See How to Speed Up Compost for more information.

Finished compost is dark, crumbly, and has an earthy smell. It should be hard to distinguish the original materials.

Yes, indoor composting systems such as worm bins or bokashi bins are available for those who don’t have outdoor space.

Maintaining a balanced compost pile and avoiding composting animal products can help deter pests (click the link). If pests become a problem, consider using a compost bin with a lid and a pest-resistant design.

Yes, composting is generally safe as long as you handle materials with care, especially if you’re composting manure .

That depends on the method you are using and how you aerate your compost . If you use other aeration methods, you may only need to turn the compost once or twice to check moisture levels. See How Often Should You Turn Compost for more details.

Compost is rich in organic matter and helps improve soil structure, moisture retention, and microbial activity. It’s benefits are primarily seen over the long term. 

Fertilizer primarily provides easily available nutrients to plants, and provide a short term benefit to the plants. However, if overused it can be harmful to soil.

• External Resources
• Composting – Cornell University provides a very comprehensive list of resources and articles on all aspects of composting.
• Composting – Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): Excellent introduction to the essentials of aerobic composting.
• Home Composting – Illustrated PDF by Cornell University illustrating several different composting methods.
• Composting at Home – Overview from the US Environmental Protection Agency: Introduction to composting accompanied by several different home composting methods.

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Trash to Treasure: The Incredible Benefits of Composting

Pahriya Ashrap and Amber Cathey

Phd students in environmental health sciences.

September 19, 2019

[Student Org Pursuit Takeover]

Students Creating the Conversation Check out other articles by student org leaders on The Pursuit.

As a field at the forefront of environmental health, public health can take the lead in teaching and encouraging sustainable practices around our daily behaviors, including what we do with our waste products.

Especially for those overwhelmed by the idea of global climate change often seems futile, it is important to remember that small lifestyle changes can have large impacts. One place to start is with composting.

What is composting?

Composting is a natural process by which any organic material, such as food waste or lawn trimmings, is broken down by naturally occurring bacteria and fungus in the soil to form compost. 1 The resulting materials—compost—is a nutrient-rich soil amendment that looks a lot like soil itself.

Composting can be successful in almost any setting, from indoor bins in condos or apartments, to outdoor piles in backyards, to office spaces where compostable material is collected and taken to an external composting facility.

How do I know what to compost?

The simplest answer is fruit and vegetable scraps, whether fresh, cooked, frozen, or completely moldy. Keep these treasures out of garbage disposals and landfills and compost them. Other good things to compost include tea (with the bag unless the bag is plastic), coffee grounds (including paper filters), plant prunings, leaves, and grass cuttings. Make sure to break yard waste into small pieces before throwing into a composting heap and avoid diseased leaves and plants as they may infect your compost.

A common misconception is that biodegradable and compostable mean the same thing.

Natural paper products are compostable, but glossy papers should be avoided as they can overwhelm your soil with chemicals that take longer to break down. Animal products like meat and dairy are compostable but often create foul odors and attract pests like rodents and insects. It is also best to leave these items out of your compost:

• animal waste—especially dog and cat feces (attracts unwanted pests and smells and may contain parasites)
• yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides (may kill beneficial composting organisms)
• coal ashes (contain sulfur and iron in amounts high enough to damage plants)
• glass, plastics, and metals (recycle these!).

How do I compost?

Place items you want to compost together in a bin or pile with plenty of air flow. Keep your compost moist and, if it smells, add more leaves, brown paper, or grass clippings (the “browns”) to balance out the “greens”—the fruit and veggie scraps that are causing the stink as they break down. Keep adding browns and greens and, when the volume becomes difficult to manage, begin a new pile and let the old pile finish off (break down so that it is completely black and does not have large pieces of recognizable food waste) before adding it to soil.

Can things labeled biodegradable go into my compost?

A common misconception is that biodegradable and compostable mean the same thing. This is incorrect ! Biodegradable means that a product will naturally break down over time, meaning any period of time. A certified compostable product contains a required amount of material that will break down within 180 days into pieces 2mm or less in size, and this process of breaking down cannot release harmful substances, such as heavy metals, into the soil. 2

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard waste make up about 30% of materials sent to landfills. 3 Biodegradable products are less sustainable when they go in the trash. At a landfill, biodegradable materials decompose anaerobically—with little or no oxygen present—and release methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is one of the more potent greenhouse gasses, so its presence in the atmosphere accelerates the process of global warming. 4 Many landfills are designed to capture and use the methane for energy before it releases into the atmosphere, but it is much more efficient to keep biodegradable materials in compost piles or send them to composting facilities.

A little waste goes a long way.

Composting provides a host of benefits:

• Composting significantly cuts down on the amount of trash in a landfill and reduces the costs and carbon emissions it takes to haul and process those materials. Meanwhile, the valuable nutrients in your compostable materials make composting a favorable alternative to shipping your organic waste to a landfill.
• Composting enriches the soil with nutrients, which reduces the need for fertilizers and pesticides. Fertilizers and pesticides require fossil fuels for their production and shipping, and some of them are potentially harmful to our health.
• Compost increases soil’s ability to retain moisture, thus helping to prevent erosion by reducing runoff. And compost prevents and suppresses plant diseases and pests. 3 Moister, healthier soil improves the workability of the soil and reduces fossil fuel emissions that would otherwise be needed to produce and ship soil-maintenance products. Composting can help sequester carbon, meaning that composting can help remove carbon from the atmosphere.

Studies have shown that plants grow more rapidly in soil supplemented with compost, meaning they can pull more carbon dioxide out of the air. According to the EPA, the amount of carbon sequestered in soil and plants after wet compost is applied could significantly reduce greenhouse gasses if applied on a large scale. 5

So start composting today. The best way to learn is to start doing it. Your soil and your planet will be so happy!

 References

• “ Compost FAQs ,” Office of Campus Sustainability, University of Michigan.
• “ What’s the Difference? Biodegradable and Compostable ,” Nature’s Path (June 2018).
• “ Benefits of Composting ,” Composting at Home , EPA.
• “ The Myths of Biodegradation ,” Biodegradable Products Institute; Climate Change 2007: The Physical Science Basis, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change , Solomon et al., eds. (Cambridge University Press: Cambridge, 2007).
• Lou, X.F., J. Nair, “ The Impact of Landfilling and Composting on Greenhouse Gas Emissions: A Review ,” Bioresource Technology 100/16 (August 2009): 3792–98.
• Read more articles by Michigan Public Health students .
• Learn more about student advocacy work at Michigan Public Health .
• Support students at Michigan Public Health .

About the Authors

The Public Health Sustainability Initiative ( PHSI ) is a student-run organization committed to promoting sustainable practices at the School of Public Health. Our ongoing efforts include supplying small-scale zero-waste events with compostable materials, running a cap and gown reuse rental program, and hosting an annual Earth Day event where people can learn about composting and recycling and can bring unwanted clothing for a stuff-swap. Projects on the horizon include acquiring solar-powered work stations for the school, placing more compost bins throughout both buildings, and creating recycling stations for items such as batteries, electronics, and pens that are easily accessible to the community.

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The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities Research Paper

The ecological benefits of composting cannot be undoubted, with composting systems having great potential to make an impact on the strategies of waste management, thus contributing to both small- and large-scale sustainability efforts. On a local scale, composting can promote better environmental conditions in the area, encourage community-wide collaboration on sustainability efforts, and increase awareness about waste reduction and recycling. Thus, if individuals understand the basic principles of composting and engage in it as a part of their recycling and waste optimization practices, the wider community will experience improved sustainability outcomes. An essential part of proving the hypothesis is implementing a lab experiment involving composting to educate oneself and others on the best practices of the process.

Research has shown that there are multiple reasons why individuals should compost. According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (2018), food scraps and yard trimmings represent a third of the materials that are being landfilled and incinerated, with paper, wool, and other textiles, some of which are compostable, representing another third. Therefore, when people eliminate organic materials from the waste stream, they will reduce the need to dispose of them, thus protecting the environment and cutting communities’ costs (Szczucinski et al., 2020). Besides, as suggested by the findings of composting experiment, adding organic matter to soil will be beneficial to its fertility, decreased erosion, better retention of water, and improved carbon storage.

Compost can help create a sustainable agricultural system, which is possible to facilitate on a local scale. In any community, there will be individuals who grow some plants and vegetables in their gardens, and providing them with compost can be a great way of building community collaboration on improving its sustainability efforts. Composts help prevent topsoil erosion by allowing the soil to absorb and retain more water, which is conducive to robust plant growth. The study by Risse and Faucette (2015) found that the use of compost in the soil can help reduce water loss by 86%. The efforts in which communities engage when they are dedicated to sustainability and waste reduction are expected to have a beneficial outcome on local agricultural practices.

The composting experiment to be carried out will involve starting a small batch of compost and tracing the process from collecting compostable materials to adding the end-product fertilizer to the soil to improve its quality and allow for better plants to grow. The compost will include grass clippings, non-acidic fruit and vegetable scraps, egg shells, paper straws, compostable bags, napkins, cups, coffee grounds, and many other additions. The temperature test will be performed to determine the optimum temperature to yield the best quality compost, with further adjustments made to produce compost. When the final product is complete, it will be added to the soil, the quality test of which will also be carried out to compare the soil with and without compost. It is expected that the plants growing from the soil with the added compost will be of greater quality compared to the compost-free one. Overall, the potential for research on the benefits of composting for individuals and communities and vast. The more people are educated about how easy but effective composting can be, the more likely they are to try it end to build a community around it, which, consequently, is better for the environment on a larger scale.

Risse, M., & Faucette, B. (2015). Compost utilization for erosion control . UGA. Web.

Szczucinski, D., Gelino, B. W., Cintron, C. J., Becirevic, A., & Reed, D. D. (2019). Increasing appropriate composting in high-traffic university settings. Behavior Analysis in Practice, 13(1), 22–28. Web.

US Environmental Protection Agency. (2018). Advancing sustainable materials management: 2015 Fact sheet. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2023, August 21). The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-benefits-of-composting-for-individuals-and-communities/

"The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities." IvyPanda , 21 Aug. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/the-benefits-of-composting-for-individuals-and-communities/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities'. 21 August.

IvyPanda . 2023. "The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities." August 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-benefits-of-composting-for-individuals-and-communities/.

1. IvyPanda . "The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities." August 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-benefits-of-composting-for-individuals-and-communities/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "The Benefits of Composting for Individuals and Communities." August 21, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/the-benefits-of-composting-for-individuals-and-communities/.

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What is composting and why does it matter?

What is composting — and why does it matter? The answer lies in food waste and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Every year, people around the world send approximately 931 million tonnes of food to landfills—waste that includes things like rotten household food; unfinished scraps from “super-sized” restaurant meals; and grocery store items that fail to sell before their “best before” dates.

This is problematic on many levels.

For one, people are throwing out perfectly good food at a time when 9.6% of Canadians and 10.2% of Americans suffer from food insecurity. Second, growing, processing, packaging, shipping, and disposing of this unused food takes a terrible toll on our environment.

Creating a more circular economy that reduces and repurposes food waste would be the most effective step in resolving both these challenges. However, that system doesn’t yet exist on a public scale, but we can mitigate some of the environmental damage of food waste by composting it rather than sending it to a landfill. In fact, research indicates this step alone can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50%.

How? Well, that’s what we’ll dive into in this article.

Topics we’ll explore in this article:

• How food waste contributes to climate change
• What is composting and what is compost used for
• How composting helps reduce environmental impacts
• The beneficial applications of compost
• Why it’s important to consider participating in a composting program now

The environmental impacts of food waste

While it’s true that all organic waste eventually decomposes over time, the way it decomposes in a landfill—where it’s likely sitting in plastic garbage bags, surrounded by a host of non-organic matter—is quite different from how it decomposes in a compost pile.

During the first phase of landfill decomposition, the organic matter uses oxygen to break down—a process called aerobic decomposition (meaning “with oxygen”). Within about a year, however, the supply of oxygen runs out—which is when the anaerobic decomposition (“without oxygen”) phase begins. With anaerobic decomposition, bacteria break down the organic matter further—releasing methane gas as a by-product.

Why is methane gas so bad for the environment?

Methane is a greenhouse gas which is considered to be significantly more powerful at accelerating global warming than carbon dioxide. To understand why, it’s helpful to refer to the US Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) three metrics for assessing a greenhouse gas’s power— concentration, longevity and strength .

Carbon dioxide beats methane on the first two metrics—it’s the most concentrated greenhouse gas in the atmosphere (making up 80% of emissions, compared to methane’s 10% ). Carbon dioxide also stays in our atmosphere much longer—between 300 and 1000 years, compared to 12 years for methane . Where methane overshadows carbon dioxide is strength (otherwise known as warming potential). It’s 28 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 100-year timescale, compared to carbon dioxide.

Landfills are key emitters of methane gas, thanks to—you guessed it!—food waste. According to Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory , 23% of the country’s methane emissions come from landfills—or approximately 1,401 kilotonnes.

What is composting?

Composting is an excellent option to help reduce the amount of methane entering the atmosphere. By diverting food waste to either a backyard compost, community compost facility, or commercial/industrial compost program, we can, in many cases, eliminate the anaerobic phase of decomposition (and the production of methane) altogether.

This is because composting doesn’t just provide food to bacteria. It also attracts insects, worms, and fungi by providing an ideal balance of nitrogen and carbon, as well as a free flow of oxygen. While these creatures emit carbon dioxide as a by-product, the impact on the environment is significantly lower than methane production.

So, what does composting mean? It means diverting waste, encouraging a natural biodynamic ecosystem, and reducing methane. These benefits are, in part, why composting is important.

Backyard vs commercial composting

While backyard composting is a great option for single-family dwellings—or homes with some sort of outdoor space—this isn’t typically an option for restaurants, multi-residential buildings, offices, schools, grocery stores, cafeterias, packing plants, and other producers of food waste. Home composting also doesn’t create the right environment to break down things like meat, bones, dairy, grease, or oil.

In these instances, you need large-scale composting programs—run by municipalities or private corporations. These composting programs accept all forms of food waste and, depending on the program, may also accept things like:

• Paper napkins, paper towels, tissues
• Coffee grounds, filters, tea bags
• Food-soiled paper plates and takeout containers (provided they’re not waxed or plastic-coated)
• Soiled paper bags
• Food-soiled pizza boxes
• Paper muffin cups (not waxed or parchment)
• House plants, including soil
• Feminine hygiene products

4 types of composting programs

The items a program accepts depends, in part, on its composting system. Typically, a program will fall into one of four categories:

Aerated (Turned) Windrow Composting

With this large-scale composting option, organic waste is laid out in long piles called “windrows”—typically four to eight feet high, and 14 to 16 feet wide. The goal is to make the piles big enough so they can generate sufficient heat to facilitate the decomposition process, while making sure they’re small enough to turn (or mix the compost around, which ensures sufficient oxygen flow and decomposition throughout).

Aerated Static Pile Composting

This type of composting also uses oxygen to break down organic matter. Unlike windrow composting, however, these composting piles don’t have to be turned. Rather, they’re comprised of a homogeneous mix of organic waste interspersed with layers of loosely piled “bulking agents”—like wood chips, egg carton containers, and shredded newspaper—which create air pockets that allow air to flow through. In some forms of aerated static pile composting, piles may be placed over a series of air-blowing pipes to enhance airflow.

In-Vessel Composting

This option is great for composting large amounts of waste with a minimal footprint. Unlike windrow composting, which requires a lot of space, in-vessel composting simply requires a drum, silo, concrete-lined trench, or something similar. Once the vessel is closed and set to the required temperature, moisture, and airflow, the compost is ready in a few weeks or months.

Anaerobic Digestion Composting

This type of composting is primarily designed to create biofuel—a renewable form of energy comparable to natural gas. Essentially, this type of facility uses micro-organisms to break down organic waste in the absence of oxygen—producing methane which, unlike in landfills, is ultimately captured and used for fuel. The remaining organic matter is then shipped to another facility to decompose into compost.

What is compost used for?

After the organic matter completes the composting process, it transforms into nutrient-rich soil (or compost). This material is used by municipalities for landscaping or infrastructure purposes, distributed to local farms, or sold to individuals and businesses—and it offers a host of benefits.

Erosion control

Erosion is most often caused when moving water—from rain, crashing waves, or something else—carries or washes away sediment over time. Understanding this, compost can be a great tool to prevent erosion due to its ability to bind soil together and slow water flow.

Stormwater Management

While compost is great at helping sandy soil bind together, it’s also great at helping heavy—or saturated soils—absorb more water. This comes in handy when controlling stormwater flows because when excess stormwater is strategically absorbed by compost-rich soil, it can alleviate pressure on municipal storm sewers and mitigate flooding.

Healthier Plant Growth

Compost-rich soil is full of nutrients and microorganisms that not only help plants grow—but makes them more resistant to rising temperatures. Additionally, because of compost’s aforementioned ability to efficiently absorb and transfer water, it helps plants withstand droughts.

Carbon sequestration

Why is compost important.

Because food waste is such a huge contributor to climate change, the United Nations has identified it as an urgent problem that needs to be fixed. To encourage action, it has set a global goal to cut per capita global food waste in half by 2030. This includes reducing food waste at the retail and consumer levels, as well as throughout post-harvest processes.

Whether it’s in response to this initiative, a desire to reduce landfill waste, or something else, a growing number of municipalities are introducing regulations around the disposal of organic waste.

In the United States, cities like Austin, Boulder, Portland, and Seattle—and states like California, Connecticut, Maryland, Vermont, and Washington—have introduced a range of bills and laws that outline voluntary recommendations and mandatory regulations around the disposal of organic waste.

In Canada, provinces like Ontario, Nova Scotia, and PEI outline either voluntary program recommendations or mandatory organic waste targets and policies for residents and businesses—while countless municipalities across the country have also introduced curbside composting programs .

To date, California likely has the most stringent regulations to combat organic waste:

• SB I383 makes it mandatory for cities, counties, and other jurisdictions to decrease their methane gas emissions by reducing the amount of organic waste they deposit in landfills by 75%. The first phase of the bill, which took effect in January 2023, requires jurisdictions to recover 30% of organic waste—a number that will increase to 65% on January 1, 2024, and 100% on January 1, 2025.
• SB 54, still in progress, will make it mandatory for all packaging sold in the state to be either recyclable or certified compostable by 2032. The Bill will also establish an extended producer responsibility program that would fund all reuse, recycling, and composting programs throughout the state.
• SB 1046, which takes effect in January 2025, will make it mandatory for all businesses to offer recyclable paper shopping bags or compostable bags instead of single-use plastic shopping bags.

Frequently Asked Questions about Composting and Why it Matters

Here are some common questions and answers to them on composting and why it matters.

1. What is composting?

Composting is the process of decomposing organic materials, such as food scraps and yard waste, in a controlled environment.

2. What are the benefits of composting?

Composting has numerous benefits for the environment. First and foremost, composting reduces waste in landfills. Composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions by diverting organic waste from landfills, where it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Composting also improves soil health by providing a natural source of nutrients, and it saves money on fertilizers and soil amendments.

3. What types of materials can be composted?

Most organic materials can be composted at home, including fruit and vegetable scraps, yard waste (grass clippings, leaves), coffee grounds, eggshells, and shredded paper. However, some materials need to be composted in a professional setting, such as meat, dairy, and fats.

4. How does composting reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Composting diverts organic waste from landfills, where it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane has a global warming potential 25 times greater than carbon dioxide, so reducing methane emissions is crucial to fighting climate change. Composting also helps sequester carbon in the soil, which can help mitigate climate change.

What are some common composting myths?

There are many misconceptions about composting, such as the belief that it smells bad or attracts pests. However, with proper management, composting should not produce any foul odors or attract rodents.

Another myth is that at-home composting requires special tools or expertise, but all you really need is a bin, some organic material, and a little patience.

Get started with composting

Given the impact food waste has on the climate—and with more regulations being introduced to divert food waste from landfill—it’s clear that large-scale composting will become more widespread in the years to come. Understanding this, it’s never too early to explore composting options in your area—and identify opportunities to reduce and divert food waste in your business or facility.

Food loss and waste occur at each stage of the supply chain. The biggest proportion (about 37%) happens in the home.

ReFED, 2021

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National Geographic Education Blog

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Composting 101

Hi! Olivia here from One More Generation!

Remember how back in December I wrote about gardening and composting on my holiday list? Well, do I have some news for you! It turns out these go hand and hand! At first, I thought compost was just something that you put in your garden that was good for plants. With all the information I have discovered, I learned there is so much more.

Let’s start with the definition of ‘compost’.

Definition of Compost(ing)

• A mixture of organic matter, as from leaves and manure, that has decayed or has been digested by organisms, used to improve soil structure and provide nutrients. ( from the Free Dictionary by Farlex )
• Composting is nature’s process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. Anything that was once living will decompose. Basically, backyard composting is an acceleration of the same process nature uses. By composting your organic waste you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue. Finished compost looks like soil—dark brown, crumbly, and smells like a forest floor. ( from San Mateo County RecycleWorks )
• Decaying material of plants, unwanted food, etc., added to dirt to improve the growth of new plants. ( from the Cambridge Dictionary )
• And here is a great definition of residential compositing: Composting is just nature’s way of recycling. By definition, composting is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food waste. Compost is the valuable soil product that results from proper composting. Composting helps to keep the high volume of organic material out of our landfills and turns that material into a useful product. With organics making up a significant part of our municipal waste, onsite composting reduces the cost of hauling garbage and operating landfills. Compost is great for gardens and landscaping, and you can save money by buying less soil conditioner, mulch, and fertilizer. ( from City of Eastvale CA )

No matter how you define it, composting is just plain cool and a great idea. Did you know that the UN actually declared 2015 the International Year of Soil ! Soil is the foundation of our food system, but unfortunately, fields that once were rich with deep, nutritious soil are thinning out. On top of the soil depleting around the world it is unbelievable how much food we waste here at home. Forty percent of the food we grow in the USA ends up being thrown away , while there are a whole lot of people who suffer with hunger. By composting, we can connect the dots between soil depletion and food waste. The smallest, easiest change to make at home is just putting peels, leftovers, and expired foods into a different can. This simple compost starter ends up going back to rebuilding the soil. This way what we do not eat for dinner tonight can become dinner down the way. It’s what nature intended!!

Check out the trailer of this cool video because nothing builds up the soil like composting!!

We also found this infographic created by the folks at The Campus Kitchens Project , which shows the amount of food waste in America alone:

I was amazed to find out how many other benefits there are to composting. Composting reduces greenhouse gas emissions and fights climate change. It also increases the ability for soil to absorb water so we conserve more. You know we are all about conservation here at OMG! Most importantly, it puts nutrients back into the soil to grow more food. This way we all benefit!

My brother and I are excited about putting our compost to work and planting our garden this spring! I really like carrots. Delicious! They are so much better than chips! What is your favorite vegetable? If you do not have a garden, ask your parents to help you build your first one this spring! If you live in a place with no yard, it doesn’t matter! You can actually grow many things inside too!

Regardless of whether you have a garden, make sure you are composting! There is actually this awesome organization I came across that does all the work for you:  City Compost . They work with families both big and small so they do not have to spend time and energy required to manage a compost pile. All the compost they make actually goes back to you and any extra goes off to farms! I learned a boatload about composting from talking with Adam Jankauskas who started City Compost. Check out City Compost’s mission statement, I think it says it all:

The mission at City Compost is to enable an abundance of food for all. Every bit of organic material that is thrown away regardless of suitability for consumption still contains valuable nutrients that can be returned to the food system if properly handled. It is not a waste. City Compost focuses on saving these nutrients and returning them to the soil to create an abundance of fresh, healthy produce for all.

Adam shared two more important pieces of information:

“There is a common misconception that dairy, grains, and meat will not compost. This is a mistake. At home, they can attract dangerous wild animals so are best to avoid, but when you use a service like City Compost , these are okay to include. Also, there is actually a lot more to composting than most realize. The size of the pieces and pile, the amount of water, how the material is balanced, and even how often it is turned come into play. City Compost keeps all of these in mind when we compost. We handle the entire process and then give all the compost back to our customers with service.”

With both soil depletion  and hunger being worldwide issues, it is very important for us to stop wasting food and save every bit we can. The truth is everyone should be composting. Don’t you agree?

That is all for this month’s article, stay tuned next month as we introduce you to students in Chelmsford, England, and their efforts to combat plastic pollution.

Olivia Ries is our National Geographic Society Youth Empowerment writer. Together with her brother, Carter, she hopes to inspire others to realize that “ Anybody can make a difference… if they can, you can too .”  Make sure to check out their   TEDxYouth   presentation along with their website at   OneMoreGeneration.org  and also   ‘LIKE’ their FaceBook page   as well

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5 thoughts on “ Composting 101 ”

• Pingback: 11 Things We Learned This Week | Nat Geo Education Blog

What a great read! If you’d like to learn more about compost you should check out Compost411.com

• Pingback: 10 Ways to Take Your Classroom Outside! | Nat Geo Education Blog

This article on composting highlights the abundance of resources we have at our disposal. When we embrace the abundance around us we bring joy and satisfaction to ourselves and many others. The opposite is squandering the abundance available resulting in scarcity; scarcity of nutrients for the soil, scarcity of money from buying materials to enrich the soil, scarcity and depletion on so many levels.

• Pingback: Composting 101 – Matter Of Trust

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Essay on Composting | Waste Disposal | Waste Management

Here is an essays on ‘Composting’ for class 9, 10, 11 and 12. Find paragraphs, long and short essays on ‘Composting’ especially written for school and college students.

Essay on Composting

Essay # 1. meaning of composting:.

Composting is the purposeful biodegradation of organic matter, such as yard and food waste. The decomposition is performed by microorganisms, mostly bacteria, but also yeasts and fungi. In low temperature phases a number of macro-organisms, such as springtails, ants, nematodes, isopods and earthworms also contribute to the process, as well as soldier fly, fruit flies and fungus gnats. There are a wide range of organisms in the decomposer community.

i. A biodegradable material is capable of being completely broken down under the action of microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water and biomass. It may take a very long time for some material to biodegrade depending on its environment (e.g., wood in an arid area versus paper in water), but it ultimately breaks down completely. Many contaminating materials not dealt with in common composting are in fact “biodegradable”, and may be dealt with via bioremediation, or other special composting approaches.

ii. A compostable material biodegrades substantially under specific composting conditions. It is metabolized by the microorganisms, being incorporated into the organisms or converted into humus. The size of the material is a factor in determining compostability, and mechani­cal particle size reduction can speed the process. Large pieces of hardwood may not be compostable under a specific set of composting conditions, whereas sawdust of the same type of wood may be. Some biodegradable materials are only compostable under very specific conditions, usually with an industrial process.

Essay # 2. Importance of Composting:

Composting upcycles organic kitchen and yard waste and manures into an extremely useful humus like, soil end product, permitting the return of vital organic matter, nutrients, and particularly bacteria, that are vital to plant nutrition to the soil. Managed aerobic composting arranges environmental conditions so they are optimal for the natural processes to take place.

There is a popular expression:

“Compost happens”, but it is helpful to engineer the best possible circumstances for large amounts of organic waste to decompose quickly and efficiently, with the greatest conservation of useful nutrients and mass. Uncontrolled composting is when compost “happens”, and although that may be functional in some circumstances, as with forest floor detritus, a neglected heap of kitchen and yard wastes will more likely result in “smells happen”, or “rodents happen” long before useful compost does.

Long used in subsistence farming and home gardening for creating garden ready soil, composting is becoming increasingly important and better understood as a tool for reducing municipal solid waste, and reducing the amount of green waste going into landfills. The decomposition of organic material sent to landfills is a principal cause of methane, an important greenhouse gas, making reduction of organic waste being landfilled a key element in the fight against climate change.

In suburban and rural areas, much of the organic waste could be removed from the waste stream by promoting home composting, where consumers compost their yard waste and kitchen scraps on their own land, regardless of whether the material is ever actively re-used as “soil”. In urban areas with dwellings predominantly lacking individual yard space, there are indoor small scale composting alternatives, such as vermicomposting and bokashi composting.

Composting organisms require four equally important things to work effectively:

i. Carbon (“C” or carbohydrates), for energy – the microbial oxidation of carbon produces the heat.

— High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.

ii. Nitrogen (“N” or protein), to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon.

— High nitrogen materials tend to be green (or colorful, like fruits and vegetables) and wet.

iii. Oxygen, for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process.

iv. Water, in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.

Certain ratios of these elements will provide beneficial bacteria with the nutrients to work at a rate that will heat up the pile. In that process much water will be released as vapor (“steam”), and the oxygen will be quickly depleted, explaining the need to actively manage the pile. The hotter the pile gets, the more often added air and water is necessary; the air/water balance is critical to maintaining high temperatures until the materials are broken down. At the same time, too much air or water also slows the process, as does too much C (or too little N).

The most efficient composting occurs with a C:N mix of about 30 to 1. All organics have both carbon and nitrogen, but amounts vary widely, with characteristics noted above (dry/wet, brown/’ green). Fresh grass clippings have an average ratio of about 15 to 1 and dry autumn leaves about 50 to 1 depending on species.

Mixing equal parts by volume approximates the ideal C:N range. Few individual situations will provide the ideal mix of materials at any point in time in this respect, home composting is like horseshoes, perfect is great, but close still works. Observation of amounts, and consideration of different materials as a pile is built over time, can quickly achieve a workable technique for the individual situation.

Ingredients that are primarily carbon include:

(i) Dry, straw type material, such as cereal straws and corn stalks

(ii) Dry leaves (best shredded, as with a rotary mower, to prevent matting)

(iii) Wood, as coarse or fine (may compact) sawdust, or ground wood waste.

Paper and card board, both unprinted and printed are not recommended as both the inks and paper contain materials such as pigments, clays, binders, etc., that are not biodegradable. While these insoluble ingredients are not toxic, they will not readily break down as other biodegradable materials. In addition, paper will decompose very slowly interfering with the composting process.

Ingredients with relatively high nitrogen content include:

(i) Green plant material, like crop residues, new shoots, hay (especially alfalfa), grass clippings and weeds.

(ii) Manure from poultry, humans, pets, and herbivorous animals such as horses, cows and llamas.

(iii) Kitchen waste, fruit and vegetable cooked waste and trimmings, juicing-pulp residue, tea and coffee grounds, meat, bones, eggs.

For “back yard” composting, mixing the materials as they are added increases the rate of decomposition, as does reduced particle size (i.e., chopped, shredded), or materials can be added in alternating layers, about 15 centimetres (6 in) thick. Keeping a carbon “cache” handy to the pile for covering and mixing with fresh wet additions (lawn clippings, kitchen scraps) is simplest.

Special additions or activators are not necessary, although some sprinklings of good garden loam as a first pile is built will aid more rapid working by inoculating it with beneficial soil bacteria, and some of the material from the first finished batch can be used in the subsequent mixes.

Adding soil also provides grit to help earthworms digest, as well as providing particles for finished compost to aggregate with to create humus. Agricultural lime is not necessary the bacteria prefer a slightly acidic pH, and their processing invariably results in a near neutral product. Seaweed meal, rock dust or rock flour, and other trace element amendments are best added to the finished compost, or directly to the garden.

Essay # 3. Approaches to Composting:

1. active (aerobic):.

An active compost heap, steaming on a cool morning. The heap is kept warm by the exothermic action of the bacteria as they decompose the organic matter.

Hot thermophilic composting is essential with some materials, such as meat and other animal products, dairy products, eggs, grease, cooking oil, manure of non-herbivores, and residuals from the treatment of wastewater, in order to kill pathogens; but these materials are not generally recommended in home composting because of the likelihood of creating odors and attracting rodents.

Human waste can be composted by industrial methods as well as composting toilets. When high temperatures are reached, the resulting compost can be safely used for agricultural or horticultural purposes, providing local health regulations are met. Humanure fertilizer (as opposed to night soil) is used throughout the developing world and is becoming more accepted as a garden amendment in the developed world.

Hot, aerobic composting is conducted at close to the ideal conditions noted above, allowing thermophilic bacteria to thrive. These aerobic bacteria break down material faster, producing less odor, fewer pathogens, and less greenhouse gas than cool, uncontrolled, or accidental anaerobic methods.

Commercial scale composting operations actively control the composting conditions (C:N ratio, moisture level and air), usually in a closed environment (in-vessel composting, tunnel composting or aerated static pile composting), where air is fan forced through the mass, and moisture added with sprayers, or conserved via the enclosure, with computer monitored probes detecting conditions.

In Thailand an aerated static pile system is in use by farmer groups at over 400 sites. The process needs only 30 days to finish without manual turning, with 10 metric tons of compost produced per month. A 38 centimetres (15 in) squirrelcage blower with 2.2 kilowatts (3.0 hp) motor is used to force air through 10 covered static piles of compost twice a day. The raw materials consist of agricultural wastes and animal manure in the ratio of 3:1 by volume.

High temperatures destroy insects, larvae, and weed seeds, but no compost will be totally sterilized by high temperatures alone. In a hot compost where the temperature exceeds 55 °C (131 °F) for several days, the ability of most organisms to survive is compromised, and there are temperature standards set by various regulating authorities for commercial products Nevertheless, many organisms in nature can survive extreme temperatures, including extremophiles such as Thermus thermophilus which play an important role in thermogenic composting, as well as pathogens such as Clostridium.

The necessary second stage of hot composting is maturation, a period allowing the dissipation of any phyto-toxins remaining from the process or contaminating ingredients (e.g., chemical residues), and achieving a state of nutrient stability (low C:N ratio) that will not have an impact on Nitrogen availability in the receiving soil.

For backyard composters, carbon and nitrogen ratios in various ingredients and the calculations required to get the ideal mixture can be intimidating, so rules of thumb exist for approximating it by ingredient types and condition. If the pile is built in a short period, and has a good mix of materials (C:N) and a coarse structure, with about 50% moisture (“like a squeezed out sponge”), the temperature should rise within days to as high as 60 °C (140 °F).

When the temperature begins to fall, more air is needed, usually added by turning the pile or using an agitating tool, and moisture may be needed at the same time. Turning or other aeration is usually needed about every 6-10 days to maintain the highest heat levels until the material is fairly uniformly broken down to unrecognizability, and temperatures no longer rebound. A pile that has been maintained at peak temperatures may be ready for maturing in as little as 30 days. Another 30-60 days maturing should suffice to allow passing the “germination test”.

To achieve thermophilic decomposition, a compost bin is best about 1 cubic metre (1.3 cu yd), or 1 metre (3 ft) wide, 1 metre (3 ft) tall, and as long as desired for windrow composting. This provides enough insulating mass to build up heat but also allows oxygen infiltration.

The center of the pile heats up the most, so regular turning/mixing is needed for insuring all material spends some time in the hottest area. When turning the pile results in no further temperature rise, the active aerobic phase is complete, and the mass may be turned out to a maturing pile. When the matured material has a dark brown crumbly appearance and the smell of rich damp earth, it is ready to use.

The natural sequence of the decomposition community involved will be:

(i) 0-15 °C (32-59 °F): Psychrophiles predominate, beginning the heating process as they multiply.

(ii) 15-40 °C (60-104 °F): Mesophiles take over, psychrophiles die off or are relegated to the borders.

(iii) 40-70 °C (105-160 °F): Thermophiles work at their peak, including consuming many other bacteria.

At the lower temperatures and around the borders, there will also be various fungal activity, as well as larger organisms, getting their share — a very dry, cooler pile may be attractive to ants, and gastropods may visit very wet piles. As the temperature returns to ambient at the end of the process, the sequence reverses, including new organisms that prefer the more degraded materials.

Added heat and pile insulation may be useful in the coldest weather, but is not ordinarily necessary, and is not desirable if it interferes with aeration or natural convective evaporation. Keeping the top dry and burying fresh additions in the center of a pile will be effective during winter conditions until heating resumes in spring.

2. Passive (Anaerobic):

Cool or ambient temperature composting, when the level of physical intervention is minimal, usually results in temperatures never reaching above 30 °C (86 °F). It is slower but effective, and is the more common type of composting in domestic gardening. Such composting systems may be in open or closed containers of wood or plastic, or in open exposed piles. Kitchen scraps are put in the garden compost bin and left untended.

This scrap bin can have a very high water content which reduces aeration, and may become odorous. To improve drainage and airflow, and reduce odor, carbon-rich materials, or ‘browns’, such as wood chips, shredded bark, leaves, or twigs may be added to mix and cover each wet addition, or holes made occasionally in the pile. The amount of attention may vary from none through occasional to “regular”.

Industrial Systems of Composting:

Industrial composting systems are increasingly being installed as a waste management alternative to landfills, along with other advanced waste processing systems. Mechanical sorting of mixed waste streams combined with anaerobic digestion or in-vessel composting, is called mechanical biological treatment, increasingly used in developed countries due to regulations controlling the amount of organic matter allowed in landfills. Treating biodegradable waste before it enters a landfill reduces global warming from fugitive methane; untreated waste breaks down anaerobically in a landfill, producing landfill gas that contains methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Large scale composting systems are used by many urban centers around the world. Co-composting is a technique which combines solid waste with de-watered biosolids, although difficulties controlling inert and plastic contamination from Municipal solid waste makes this approach less attractive.

The world’s largest MSW co-composter is the Edmonton Composting Facility in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, which turns 220,000 tonnes of residential solid waste and 22,500 dry tonnes of biosolids per year into 80,000 tonnes of compost. The facility is 38,690 meters 2 (416,500 ft 2 ), equivalent to 4 1/2 Canadian football fields, and the operating structure is the largest stainless steel building in North America, the size of 14 NHL rinks.

A home garden can be primarily fertilized with compost.  

Past practices of biodegradable waste disposal not only remove valuable nutrients from the local biocycle, but when buried in a landfill, the anaerobic decomposition that results contributes to ground water contamination and uncontrolled methane generation, increasing the occurrence of greenhouse gas emissions.

Organic waste contains valuable nutrients that can contribute to the soil health in the immediate area of their production if recycled. Brown waste such as paper, cardboard, and dry plant material like leaves, are “captured carbon”, and green waste such as fresh plant residues and fruit and vegetable scrap contain much of the nitrogen used to generate their growth, as well as other essential macro and micronutrients, such as boron, copper, or iodine, lacking in some locales, so otherwise replaced with purchased commercial amendments. It also factors for minimum ammonium losses during composting of the residues of trimming.

From the compost at home, it can help improve your soil, prevent plant disease, and reduce greenhouse gases. The compost can also help soften plant material, increase the water holding capacity of the plant, and convert the ammonia in the plant into protein.

Agriculture:

Compost is an important source of nutrients commonly used in modern agriculture. Through steaming, compost can be sanitized and prepared for further use.

Home composting is the small scale domestic application of the principles of sustainable, biodegradable waste management, i.e. composting. The general principles involved in composting apply to any scale, from “backyard” to industrial, but the techniques will vary for each with the size of the waste stream, the cost, amount of effort, and the organization required.

Industrial scale systems are invariably capital and/or labor intensive, but on the home or small farm scale, composting can be managed to require varying outlay of capital and labor. For the small urban household, an indoor Bokashi or worm bin may suffice, for a suburban property with a larger yard and a food garden, a bin system would be preferable, while in small farm settings, a seasonal window system might be called for.

Container composting is a common style of small scale composting, using any of a wide variety of plastic, wood, masonry, or wire screen containers. Vented or closed sided compost bins each have proponents for the effect on air circulation and heat loss or retention in the compost. The Indore method developed by Sir Albert Howard, as well as the Shewell Cooper method favour spaced slats, while the New Zealand Box method advocates the use of closed sides. Combinations of the two are also used.

A compost bin is the container used to make compost. Commercially these bins may be made of hard plastic, and is commonly cylindrical in shape, although a variety of shapes and sizes are available. The manufactured bins are commonly found in urban and suburban areas, and in some districts of North America and the U.K., local authorities subsidise the cost to encourage public waste stream reduction.

They also may be user made out of wood, or whatever salvaged, recycled materials are at hand, particularly in rural areas or where larger amounts of yard and garden waste are generated. In some areas, community bin sites are provided. Compost bins can be as simple as a square slatted wood enclosure or as sophisticated as a tumbler, which allows for the “pile” to be turned for aeration purposes.

Sheet composting is the process of placing the organic matter for the compost directly onto the soil as a mulch and letting it decay there, rather than in a heap or container. One or more layers of organic material are spread over the growing area, watered thoroughly, and left to decompose until planting time. The next season’s garden is usually planted without tilling the compost into the soil.

More layers of organic material are placed as the bottom layers decompose thoroughly. This method is occasionally called “lasagna gardening” because of the layered structure.

Proponents of this system argue that sheet composting causes fewer nutrients to be lost through leaching than heap methods, also that fresh organic matter rather than decayed, provides a slower release of minerals when applied. It is also said that, in the long term, sheet composting leads to higher nitrogen levels in the soil, as some may be lost by leaching or vaporisation in a traditional heap.

Field composting is a large-scale composting method used in no till farming. Commonly, this is achieved by growing a ‘green manure’ cover crop such as mustard, alfalfa, or buckwheat, which is cut, preferably before seed setting, and left on the field to decompose. The next crop is sown without tilling the previous crop into the field. To avoid temporary nitrogen depletion, leguminous green manure crops such as lupin, winter tares, field beans, or clover, which are able to fix their own nitrogen supply in root nodules may be used. The nitrogen is released as the plants decay.

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PRESENTED BY HELLMANN'S

• ENVIRONMENT

How to compost—and why it’s good for the environment

The science behind recycling your food scraps at home and how it reduces emissions from landfills.

About a third of the food produced around the world goes to waste, and much of it ends up in landfills—where it becomes a source of methane, a greenhouse gas 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Eliminating waste is the ultimate solution , but food scraps will always remain. For that there is a solution that nearly anyone can do: composting.

Composting turns rotting garbage into a valuable soil enhancer that helps plants thrive. Farmers call it “black gold.”  

And now more cities are implementing curbside composting to help them meet their sustainability goals. New York is currently rolling out a mandatory composting program that will soon be effect in Brooklyn and throughout Manhattan by next year. Washington, D.C. and Chicago are piloting curbside composting programs, and Seattle and San Francisco have been successfully composting residents' food scraps for years.  

But you don't have to wait for a city-wide program to begin composting in your backyard to taking food scraps to a community bin.  

“Don’t be afraid of it. It’s relatively easy. It’s not without its missteps but those are easily learned and corrected,” says Bob Rynk, lead author of The Composting Handbook and a professor emeritus at SUNY Cobleskill.  

What happens in a compost pile?

Food turns into compost through the hard work of small microorganisms like bacteria, fungi, and protozoa.  

“When you have a compost pile, you become a microbe farmer. You’re managing microbes,” says Rhonda Sherman, a composting expert at North Carolina State University. “And what do microbes need? They need the same things we do. Which is air, water, food, shelter.”

On a small scale, in your backyard or neighborhood, a compost pile should consist of three things: food scraps, water, and dry, woody material like yard trimmings or raked leaves.

Yard trimmings are frequently referred to as “browns” and are high in carbon. Food scraps are called “greens” and are high in nitrogen. A compost pile should typically have twice as many browns as it does greens.  

Aside from preventing a pile from turning into a sloshy mess, browns are bulkier and create space for oxygen to move throughout the pile. That oxygen helps tiny microbes decompose food waste through a process called aerobic digestion.  

In landfills, deep piles of trash prevent oxygen from reaching decomposing food, and it’s instead broken down by microbes that can survive without air. The anaerobic digestion practiced by those microbes produces methane.  

In contrast, as aerobic microbes break down waste—”first, easier sugary compounds, and then proteins and fats, and then finally fiber,” says Rynk—they emit carbon dioxide, which is also a greenhouse gas, but less potent than methane.

The microbes also give off heat, and in a large, well-managed pile, that heat can reach over 130 degrees Fahrenheit, enough to kill pathogens.  

The fresh compost left after several months is in a slower state of decomposition; it’s rich with microorganisms and nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium.  

How to make a successful pile

At home, you should stir or mix the pile periodically and keep it damp. Both those steps will speed up the decomposition process . The stirring allows oxygen to reach all the nooks and crannies, and the dampness assures survival of the microorganisms, which need moisture to live .

In fact, the most common reason backyard compost piles are unsuccessful is because they are too dry. But don’t drown the pile—adding more greens, which contain moisture, may be enough. If not, spraying water gently over the pile should do the trick.

Wring out a wet sponge and observe its only slightly damp texture: “That’s what your compost pile should look like and feel like,” Sherman says. “You can see that it’s moist, but it’s not dripping all over.”  

Sherman says she urges people to maintain compost bins that are about three feet high so they can accumulate enough heat—but to keep them in the shade, where they won’t dry out.

“People think they have to put it in the sun so it will heat up. That's a myth! The action of the microorganisms heats up the materials in the bin,” she says.

Not all food scraps are recommended for a backyard compost pile. The remains of fruits and vegetables are typically safe to toss in the pile, but uneaten meat or dairy are more likely to smell and attract pests. They also contain higher levels of fat, which take longer to break down. While it’s not uncommon to see rodents in a compost bin, turning the pile regularly prevents them from creating nests, and compost can effectively be made in enclosed bins.  

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The Environmental Protection Agency has a more detailed list of items that shouldn’t be tossed in a compost pile. It includes items like yard trimmings treated with pesticides that might kill microorganisms.  

Some communities are now offering food scrap bins alongside those for trash and recycling. Food scraps collected at the city level typically go to a large industrial composter where items are often shredded or chopped at arrival and processed at high temperatures. Composting at this level might be done in large piles or in silos . Because they send food waste to industrial compost facilities, municipalities tend to accept a wider variety of scraps than what you can throw in your backyard, and regulations vary by city.  

If you don’t have a backyard, access to a city-run food scrap service, or simply don’t want to mess with a compost pile, many urban gardens and farmers markets accept compost.

And if you’re concerned about odor from keeping compost on your countertop or in your kitchen before moving it to a larger compost pile, Sherman says putting food scraps in the freezer is a “game changer.” By freezing your scraps, you hit pause on the decomposition process and prevent odors from forming.  

How do you compost with worms?  

Composting with worms, or vermicomposting , produces an even more valuable soil enhancer. Worms digest scraps and excrete castings that are rich in plant nutrients. Researchers are also finding that the living microorganisms found especially in vermicompost can help protect crops from common diseases and reduce the need for herbicides and pesticides.  

Yet even though earthworms are sometimes found naturally at the bottom of a compost pile, they should not be added to a large, hot backyard compost bin.  

Earthworms don’t have lungs and instead breathe through their skin, which needs to remain moist to prevent them from drying out and dying. While a compost bin should be damp, it’s typically not moist enough for earthworms to survive.  

Instead, says Sherman, worms should be contained in smaller bins less than two feet high. Because they thrive in smaller spaces, earthworms can easily be contained in an enclosed bin under a kitchen sink or on an apartment balcony, making vermicomposting a potential option for people without backyards. The Natural Resources Defense Council has a tutorial here showing how to build a worm bin at home.  

What do you do with biodegradable or compostable food packaging?

Products labeled “compostable” or “biodegradable,” such as packaging material or utensils, are becoming more popular, but are meant to be processed at an industrial composting facility.  

Ian Jacobson, the president of Eco-Products , a compostable product maker, says his company sold 200 products in 2010, but now offers more than 450. Compostable-labeled containers can be anything from paper and sugarcane-based bagasse to bioplastic, which is plastic made from plants like corn. Some, but not all are certified by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) , the largest certifier of compostables, which tests compostable products to ensure they can be processed at commercial facilities.  

Takeout food containers are often made of compostable paper. But if “you just toss the container in your compost bin, it’s just going to sit there,” says Sherman. Shredding the container into small pieces, no bigger than two inches, will give microbes a better chance at breaking it down.  

Even then, it may not break down easily. While a well-managed backyard compost pile can achieve high temperatures, the hotter temperatures at an industrial facility will break down material more effectively. Sherman also points out that compostable paper products like newspaper or paper towels can get “mushy” and compacted in a compost pile, preventing aeration.

Food packaging made from bioplastics are not compostable in a home bin because they often have strong polymer bonds that can only be broken down in an industrial facility. However, not all bioplastics can be processed by commercial composters because some bioplastics contain toxic chemical additives to waterproof them or give them strength.  

(Learn more about bioplastics here .)

How does composting help the environment?  

In 2018, the U.S. produced nearly 300 million tons of trash, about 4.9 pounds per person. After paper products, food was the second highest category of waste, comprising about 21 percent of what we throw away and increasing the size of landfills, the source of 34 percent of methane emissions.

When done at a large scale, composting can make a dent in emissions. San Francisco, which established mandatory city-wide composting in 2009, has been able to divert 80 percent of its waste from landfills every year, more than 2.5 million tons overall.

One estimate from the Natural Resources Defense Council finds that San Francisco’s composting laws reduced the equivalent of 90,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide every year, the same number of emissions as about 20,000 passenger vehicles .

In addition to reducing landfill emissions, compost makes soil healthier. When layered on top of soil in a garden or on a farm, the organic matter found in compost improves unhealthy soils. It also helps bind soil particles together and holds more water . Better soil helps support plant growth, which can help sequester carbon from the atmosphere. Stronger, nutrient-rich soil also reduces the need for fertilizer and pesticides, which are pollutants themselves and are often produced with destructive mining practices and a high carbon footprint.  

In fact, the only downside to composting may be the “ick factor.” On that point, Sherman says not to worry.  

“It’s not stinky, it’s not gross. And once a week I go to my backyard compost bin. It takes me three minutes to compost. I just really try to encourage people. I try to tell people it’s so easy to do.”

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The Science of Compost

The practice of composting is becoming more widely used on both small and large scales as we begin to realize its amazing range of benefits. But what is composting, really? And how does one take day-to-day waste and turn it into the “black gold” that is compost?

To start off, let’s be clear, you cannot just throw a big pile of waste together and expect a good compost result. It will decompose, no doubt, but there are ways to optimize it in order to get the most out of your heap!

Before we get into the nitty gritty science, let us take a quick look at something that you probably know: humans produce a lot of waste, and we are wasting it.

With an ever-increasing population, one of the largest human-impact issues worldwide is our waste. We have an overabundance of food waste, sewage, livestock manure, landscaping waste, etc., and we are simultaneously faced with ever-shrinking landfill space, diminishing resources, and detrimental effects of our poor waste disposal. Furthermore, we are wasting that waste. Much of what ends up in a landfill still contains high amounts of nutrients that could be reused.

So how can we reduce this impact and utilize this abundance of unused nutrients? Well, we can do what nature has been doing all along. We can break down and re-use this waste – we can compost. Composting can help to reduce the amount of waste we have and allow us to apply these nutrients back into other systems, such as crop agriculture.

What is compost?

Here is a quick definition, with a breakdown to follow: Compost is crumbly, dark, humus-like material that is the result of the controlled aerobic biodegradation of organic material—or composting.

First, let’s clarify humus-like . Humus ( (h)yo͞oməs ) is a part of soil that contains recently broken down organic material, such as plants, dead organisms, manure etc. Essentially, it is the part of the soil which contains all the recycled nutrients from a system that can be used again. It generally is a lot darker in color and more moist than the rest of the soil, contains a large amount of nutrients and living organisms, and is a large portion of the topsoil in a natural ecosystem.

Next, what is aerobic biodegradation ? Aerobic means that it is a process that happens in the presence of oxygen, and biodegradation is the breakdown of organic materials into their basic elements, and into humic material, by living organisms.

Lastly, why is the word controlled important? Biodegradation of organic material is a natural process, and it occurs without any type of assistance. However, when dealing with concentrated wastes produced by humans, there is a specific process required in order to ensure we produce “good compost,” which will be explained later on.

How does compost happen?

As mentioned above, the process of biodegradation occurs naturally; however, composting is a more controlled process for biodegrading organic waste, where waste isn’t just left to rot in hopes that it will turn into nutrient-rich compost.

Aerobic Biodegradation

The compost process requires oxygen in order to be effective, because the organisms involved are mainly aerobic, meaning they require oxygen to live and therefore to break down substances. These organisms consume and use up the organic material for energy (carbon), to build proteins (nitrogen), and for other cellular processes (phosphorus, sulphur, etc.), and in doing so break down complex organic structures, such as plants and feces, into their more basic elements. During this process they produce the humic-like compost we desire, as well as CO 2 , heat, and water vapor.

Some anaerobic fermentation—biodegradation without oxygen—is also required in the compost process, especially to break down more durable plant structures, such as lignin (the complex structure that makes up the secondary cell wall of plants and helps them to stay rigid). However, the majority of decomposition must remain aerobic for efficient, rapid composting with minimal odor production.

Organisms Involved in Composting

There are thousands of tiny organisms that are involved in the compost process, including fungi , microbes, actinomycetes (a unique type of bacteria that look like fungi), and invertebrates. The use of earthworms to enhance the compost process is called “vermicomposting.”

The process of decomposition involves a complex food web and a multitude of interactions between these numerous species. As well, different organisms are better at breaking down different elements in a pile of compost. Some organisms are better at the break down of cellulose or hemicellulose (other slightly simpler parts of the plant cell wall), and some for lignin. There are also cases of symbiotic relationships between microorganisms, such as bacteria and fungi, that help to optimize the biodegradation process. Interestingly, there is also a unique population of these microorganisms depending on how long the compost heap has been composting or the thermal phase of the composting process.

Thermal Phases

Compost goes through three distinct thermal phases: the initiation phase (or initial activation phase), the thermophilic phase, and the maturation phase.

The graph below shows these thermal phases of compost. Initially there is a rapid growth of mesophilic (medium-heat loving) microorganisms and some thermophilic (high-heat loving) fungi. During this stage there is rapid consumption of amino acids and a huge growth in microorganism populations, which increase the heat to the point of their own destruction.

Next, there is a dominance of thermophilic microorganisms from all three groups (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes), though some mesophilic organisms may survive through this phase. The majority of composting occurs during this phase, where the plant wall materials such as cellulose and hemicellulose are broken down. Once the temperature approaches 70 ºC (158 ºF) the compost is sanitized because the pathogens (that affect both plants and humans) are killed. Additionally, this intense heat kills any seeds from unwanted weed plants, making the compost better to use as fertilizer.

Finally, as the resources are depleted and converted by these microorganisms, the process begins to slow and the temperature drops. At this point mesophilic organisms once again thrive, pushing out the majority of thermophiles. Then the compost begins to cool and mature, and BOOM! You have beautiful “black gold” that can be used in other systems as a source of nutrients.

What makes a good compost?

Composting is considered different than natural decomposition because it is normally a carefully controlled environment. There are a number of factors involved in effectively creating and managing a good compost heap that results in desirable compost.

A good compost heap is one in which all of the material is broken down relatively quickly, with reduced odors; is hygienic (has destroyed all pathogens); does not contain viable seeds from weed plants; emits lower greenhouse gases while breaking down; and retains the highest possible amount of nutrients for later use as fertilizer.

In order to maintain this, control of the following variables is key: temperature, moisture, oxygen, chemical and physical composition, and size and shape of the heap. There is an optimum range for each of these elements to produce the most efficient compost.

However, in general, a good compost heap simply has a good mix of materials (woody, dry material and rich, organic material; 2:1 dry to green material is the best!), is kept moist, is aerated, and is maintained at a size and shape that is sufficient for the process to occur but is not so big as to stop oxygen from reaching the center. You can also break down your materials to smaller sizes for more surface area and fast break down.

Now, depending on the scale of composting, the exact numbers and the amount of work needed to maintain these elements varies, but here is the scientific breakdown of a good compost heap…

Why should we compost?

Composting has a lot of benefits and very few downsides. First, compost reduces the amount of waste that goes to the landfill or gets incinerated and re-uses valuable nutrients that would have otherwise gone to waste. Food waste is a huge problem worldwide and throwing out a big portion of the food produced is a lot of wasted energy.

Second, compost can also be used as a safer, cheaper, and more environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic fertilizer in agriculture or in your home garden. Compost material is also better than using raw manure because the heat generated during the process kills dangerous pathogens and seeds from unwanted plants.

Third, composting can be extremely beneficial to human health and economy. If done properly, the composting process kills harmful pathogens and can help reduce human health hazards caused by waste; which is especially problematic in areas of the world with high population densities and/or low resources to deal with waste. Composting can also lead to job production and a means to remediate soils in a cost-effective manner.

Last, compost is lighter and has less volume than raw waste, which means we need fewer vehicles to move it, an environmental and economic benefit. Once the compost is produced it can be moved long distances, from areas of high nutrients—where we have lots of livestock, for example—to areas with nutrient-poor agricultural soils. As well, compost can be used in land reclamation and soil restoration projects.

Just like any method of waste management there are possible downsides to composting. If compost is improperly managed there can be issues with odor, methane production, and heavy metal build up in the final compost. However, if compost is managed properly these risks are greatly reduced. Unfortunately, well-managed compost may still have problems, such as greenhouse gas emissions during decomposition and the land/infrastructure needed for the process. On the contrary, waste that is left untreated also emits greenhouse gases and can produce harmful leachate that can seep into precious water sources. As well, the land space used for compost can be reused again and again once the compost is removed and used, whereas landfill spaces stay relatively full. Essentially, any costs associated with composting are generally outweighed by the benefits.

Compost on a Small Scale

The great thing about composting is that just about anyone can do it. There was a lot of science explaining “perfect compost conditions” in this article, but as long as you maintain a good mix of ingredients, a bit of moisture, and ensure your compost is aerated, you can re-use your own home waste in your garden, on indoor plants, or even give it to your neighbors. In doing so, you can help reduce what goes into a landfill and use fewer artificial fertilizers, reducing your environmental impact and saving you a little money!

Compost on a Large Scale

Compost on a large scale is becoming more and more popular as we realize the benefits of composting sewage, food waste, manure, and more. Cities, towns, and farms worldwide have increased the effort of composting on a large scale, and hopefully the trend continues.

Research on compost optimization improves every day, especially on how we can better implement large-scale compost and continue to reduce the waste that ends up in our landfills. Our knowledge of the optimization/addition of organisms involved in compost, how to best aerate compost at low cost, and what is the best way to obtain that perfect mix of materials continually increases and soon we will hopefully be composting and re-using almost all of the waste that we produce. The below photo is composting at the North Carolina Zoo

Case Study: The North Carolina Zoo and Compost

A good example of compost on a large scale is the composting process that takes place at the North Carolina Zoo in Asheboro, NC. At the NC Zoo, they process 2000 tons of compost every year! They manage to compost a huge percentage of the waste from the zoo, including manure from their large grazing animals. In fact, the main ingredients in their compost are rhino and elephant manure, and there is a lot of it. Check out the video to see the process from start to finish.

• Composting is Easier than you Think: How to Compost
• Cornell Composting
• The role of composting in recycling manure nutrients .
• A review of Compost Produced from Biological Wastes

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Kirstynn graduated with a Bachelors in Ecology from the University of Calgary in Alberta, Canada in 2018. She was born in Yukon Territory, and is currently living in Ecuador, where she is working on various projects and exploring as much as she can before she figures out the next big adventure. She is passionate about the outdoors, about nature and conservation, and of course, science! She loves writing, art and photography and strives to share the wonders of our big mysterious world with as many people as she can.

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Introduction to Composting

The composting process is a complex interaction between the waste and the microorganisms within the waste. The microorganisms that carry out this process fall into three groups: bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes . Actinomycetes are a form of fungi-like bacteria that break down organic matter.

The first stage of the biological activity is the consumption of easily available sugars by bacteria, which causes a fast rise in temperature. The second stage involves bacteria and actinomycetes that cause cellulose breakdown. The last stage is concerned with the breakdown of the tougher lignins by fungi.

Central solutions are exemplified by low-cost composting, as discussed here by  GardenDIY , without forced aeration, and technologically more advanced systems with forced aeration and temperature feedback. Central composting plants are capable of handling more than 100,000 tons of biodegradable waste per year, but typically the plant size is about 10,000 to 30,000 tons per year.

Biodegradable wastes must be separated prior to composting : Only pure food waste, garden waste, wood chips , and to some extent paper are suitable for producing good-quality compost.

The methodology of composting can be categorized into three major segments—anaerobic composting, aerobic composting, and vermicomposting. In anaerobic composting , the organic matter is decomposed in the absence of air. Organic matter may be collected in pits and covered with a thick layer of soil and left undisturbed six to eight months. The compost so formed may not be completely converted and may include aggregated masses.

Aerobic composting is the process by which organic wastes are converted into compost or manure in presence of air and can be of different types. The most common is the Heap Method, where organic matter needs to be divided into three different types and to be placed in a heap one over the other, covered by a thin layer of soil or dry leaves. This heap needs to be mixed every week, and it takes about three weeks for conversion to take place. The process is same in the Pit Method, but carried out specially constructed pits. Mixing has to be done every 15 days, and there is no fixed time in which the compost may be ready.

Berkley Method uses a labor-intensive technique and has precise requirements of the material to be composted. Easily biodegradable materials, such as grass, vegetable matter, etc., are mixed with animal matter in the ratio of 2:1. Compost is usually ready in 15 days.

Vermicomposting involves use of earthworms as natural and versatile bioreactors for the process of conversion. It is carried out in specially designed pits where earthworm culture also needs to be done. Vermicomposting is a precision-based option and requires overseeing of work by an expert. It is also a more expensive option (O&M costs especially are high).

However, unlike the above two options, it is a completely odorless process making it a preferred solution in residential areas. It also has an extremely high rate of conversion, so quality of the end product is very high with rich macro and micronutrients. The end product also has the advantage that it can be dried and stored safely for a longer period of time.

The composting plants consist of some or all of the following technical units: bag openers, magnetic and/or ballistic separators, screeners (sieves), shredders, mixing and homogenization equipment, turning equipment, irrigation systems , aeration systems, draining systems, bio-filters, scrubbers, control systems, and steering systems.

The composting process occurs when biodegradable waste is piled together with a structure allowing for oxygen diffusion and with a dry matter content suiting microbial growth. The temperature of the biomass increases due to the microbial activity and the insulation properties of the piled material. The temperature often reaches 65 degrees C to 75 degrees C within a few days and then declines slowly. This high temperature hastens the elimination of pathogens and weed seeds.

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7 responses to introduction to composting.

Waste management and modern recycling technologies needs to be engineered to suit the type of climate in arid and semi-arid regions. This because production and use of freshwater in different as compared to temperate regions, e.g. those existing in Europe. It is not difficult to re-shape the technology in Europe to solve the problems in the MENA region. http://sustain-earth.com

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Composting At Home

Check out our other EPA composting webpages:

• Community Composting.
• Approaches to Composting.
• Composting Homepage.

On this page:

What is Composting?

Why compost at home, options for composting at home, ingredients for composting.

• What You Can Add to a Backyard Compost Pile
• What to Avoid Adding to a Backyard Compost Pile

Steps for Backyard Composting

Avoiding rodents, worm composting (vermicomposting), benefits of using your finished compost, additional resources.

Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich, biologically-stable soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. The end product is compost . Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe. 

You can compost at home using food scraps from your kitchen and dry leaves and woody material from your yard.

If you are a community looking to support your constituents in their efforts to compost at home, or wish to increase participation in a curbside collection program, you may be interested in the following resource:  Composting Food Scraps in Your Community: A Social Marketing Toolkit.

Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps and yard trim into compost, we transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.

• Composting is a resourceful way to recycle the food scraps and yard trim you generate at home all year and manage your waste more sustainably.
• You reduce the volume of materials that might otherwise be disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators – leaves, grass clippings, yard trim, and food scraps – and prevent powerful greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.
• Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense, and expertise and can be fun. 
• You save money by producing a free, high-quality soil amendment – compost – which reduces your use of fertilizer and pesticides.
• You can use your compost to build healthier soil, prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and improve plant growth in your garden and yard.

There are different ways to compost at home:

• Backyard composting.
• Vermicomposting (worm composting).

If you don’t have a space for composting, consider participating in a local municipal or community composting program which may collect your food scraps or offer a designated location where you can drop them off. Learn more about community composting.

Composting in Your Backyard

The ingredients for composting include a proper balance of the following materials:

• Carbon-rich materials (“browns”).  
• Nitrogen-rich materials (“greens”).
• Water (moisture).
• Air (oxygen).

What to Add to a Backyard Compost Pile 

     what to avoid adding to a backyard compost pile.

*These foods can attract animals.  †Backyard composting piles generally do not reach high enough temperatures to fully decompose these materials. These materials can be composted at commercial composting facilities. Check first to make sure your specific facility accepts them.

Determine how you will collect and store your browns and greens. Collect and store your fruit and vegetable scraps in a closed container on your kitchen counter, under your sink, or in your fridge or freezer. For browns, set aside an area outside to store your steady supply of leaves, twigs, or other carbon-rich material (to mix with your food scraps).

Set aside space for your compost pile and build or buy a bin.  Choose a space in your yard for your compost pile that is easily accessible year-round and has good drainage. Avoid placing it right up against a fence and ensure there is a water source nearby. Your compost pile will break down in sun or shade. Next, choose a type of bin for your pile. Bins can be constructed from materials such as wire, wood, and cinder blocks. They can also be enclosed and include barrels and tumblers. 

Prepare your ingredients for composting. Before adding your browns and greens to the pile, try to chop and break them up into smaller pieces (e.g., corn cobs, broccoli stalks, and other tough food scraps). Doing so will help the materials in the pile break down faster.

How to build your compost pile. Start your pile with a four- to six-inch layer of bulky browns such as twigs and wood chips. This layer absorbs extra liquids, elevates your pile and allows air to circulate at the base of the pile. Then layer your greens and browns like lasagna. If needed, add a little water to dampen the pile.

Having the right proportions of ingredients in your compost pile will provide the composting microorganisms the carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and moisture they need to break down the materials into finished compost. 

When adding browns and greens to your pile, add at least two to three times the volume of browns (such as dry leaves) to the volume of greens (such as food scraps). Always ensure your food scraps are covered by four to eight inches of dry leaves or other browns.

Air and water are the other key ingredients in your pile. To ensure air circulation, add enough browns and turn your compost occasionally. To maintain moisture in your pile, ensure your combined materials have the consistency of a wrung-out sponge.

Maintain your compost pile. As the materials in your compost pile begin to decompose, the temperature of the pile will initially begin to rise, especially in the center. A backyard pile, if well maintained, can reach temperatures of 130° to 160° F. High temperatures help reduce the presence of pathogens and weed seeds.   Turning and mixing your pile from time to time will help speed up the decomposition process and aerate the pile. Use a garden fork to turn the outside of the pile inward.  Monitor your pile for moisture, odor, and temperature and make adjustments as needed.

If the pile is too dry, activity in the pile will slow or cease. Moisten the pile and turn it. (Refer to the note above about maintaining moisture in your pile.)

If the pile has a bad odor, it may be too wet or need more air circulation. Add more browns/dry material to the pile and turn the pile. 

If the pile is not heating up, mix in greens and turn the pile.

Harvest your finished compost. When your compost pile is no longer heating up after mixing, and when there are no visible food scraps, allow your pile to cure, or finish, for at least four weeks. You can relocate the oldest compost at the bottom of the pile to a separate area to cure or stop adding materials to your pile. After curing, your pile will shrink to about one-third of its original size. 

Compost in a well-maintained pile will be finished and ready for use in about three to five months. Left untended, a pile may take a year to decompose. The compost will look dark, loose, and crumbly and smell like fresh soil. Most, if not all, of the materials that went into the compost pile should be decomposed.  Screen or sift your finished compost to filter out materials that didn’t break down - twigs, fruit pits, eggshells, and items like produce stickers and plastic. (You can make a homemade screener out of ¼ inch hardware cloth.) Pits, eggshells, etc. that you sifted out can be added back into the active pile or to a new pile.

Home compost piles that are well constructed and maintained properly should not attract pests or rodents.

• If using a bin, it is important to reinforce the bin with a lid and potentially a floor. There should be no holes or gaps in your bin that are larger than ¼ inch. 
• Maintain the proper ratio of materials in your pile: two to three parts carbon-rich material (browns) to one part nitrogen-rich material (greens).
• Ensure you cover and bury your food scraps in your pile.
• Do not add meat, dairy, or greasy foods to your pile. 

Worm composting, or vermicomposting, is another method of composting you can try at home. It takes up little space, the materials are simple and inexpensive, and it can be done indoors or outdoors. You will need a container or bin, bedding material, worms, and food scraps. If your worm bin is properly maintained, it should not emit odors or attract pests. The resulting product is vermicompost, a soil amendment.

Steps for Vermicomposting

You can purchase a worm bin or make your own of untreated wood or plastic storage bins. The bin should have a tight-fitting lid and be a dark color to keep out light. If using plastic storage containers, drill air holes around the upper sides of one bin near the lid and drainage holes on the bottom of the same bin. Place the bin with the drilled holes inside the other bin. (The bottom bin will catch any liquid that drains out of the top bin.)

Choose a space for your worm bin. You can keep your worm bin indoors (e.g., under a sink, in a closet or basement) or outdoors in the shade. If your bin is outdoors (e.g., garage, carport, porch, deck, or apartment balcony), insulate the bin with blankets, straw, or other materials to keep it warm during colder months. You want to maintain a bin temperature of 59° to 77° F; however, the worms can survive at 32° to 95° F if they have at least four inches of bedding. 

Materials for your bin.

Worms – Of the 9,000 species of earthworms, only seven are suitable for vermicomposting. One of the most used is the “red wriggler” or Eisenia fetida. It is essential to use a suitable species. Do not use worms you might find outdoors or purchase at a bait shop. Begin your bin with one pound of worms, about 1,000 individual worms. Purchase them from a worm grower or find a neighbor in your community who has a vermicomposting bin and can give you some.  

Bedding – Shred or tear non-glossy newspaper, office paper, cardboard, or dry leaves and soak the bedding material for 10 minutes. Wring it out so it feels like a moist sponge. Place it in your bin and fluff it up. Fill the bin almost halfway with the moist bedding and then add a handful of soil. 

Food – You can feed your worms most fruit and vegetables scraps, coffee grounds and paper filters, crushed eggshells, paper tea bags without staples, and crushed eggshells. Avoid citrus fruits, odorous foods like onions and garlic, meat, dairy products, greasy foods, bones, and pet waste. Chop up scraps into small pieces before adding them to the bin to allow for faster decomposition.

Start your bin and feed your worms. Place worms on top of the bedding in the bin. Once the worms have settled in the bin, add some food scraps on the surface of the bedding. Each time you add food scraps, make sure to cover them with two inches of bedding. Adding the proper ratio of materials to the bin and covering them is important. Worms eat about 25 percent of their weight each day. As worms reproduce quickly, you can increase the amount you feed them. Always ensure the food scraps have been eaten before adding more.

• Harvest and use your vermicompost. After three to six months, you will be able to harvest your vermicompost, or worm castings, at the bottom of your worm bin. Vermicompost doesn’t need to cure and can be used immediately or stored for future use. 

You can add compost to your flower and vegetable beds, window boxes, and container gardens; incorporate it into tree beds; mix it with potting soil for indoor plants; or spread it on top of the soil in your yard.

Compost can be used as a soil amendment or as a mulch. As a soil amendment, mix in two to four inches of compost to the top six to nine inches of your soil. As a mulch, loosen the top two to three inches of soil and add a three-inch layer of compost on the surface, a few inches away from plant stems and tree trunks. 

Adding finished compost to your soil:

• Improves the structure and health of your soil by adding organic matter.
• Helps the soil retain moisture and nutrients.
• Attracts beneficial organisms to the soil and reduces the need for pesticides and fertilizers.
• Reduces the potential for soil erosion.
• Sequesters carbon in the soil.
• Builds resiliency to the impacts of climate change.

Mention of or referral to commercial products or services or links to non-EPA sites does not imply official EPA endorsement of or responsibility for the opinions, ideas, data, or products presented at those locations or guarantee the validity of the information provided. Mention of commercial products/services on non-EPA websites is provided solely as a pointer to information on topics related to environmental protection that may be useful to EPA staff and the public.

Visit the webpages below for more composting information:

• Home Composting Resources (Institute for Local Self Reliance):  This website provides many useful resources including home composting basics, training, videos of workshops, webinars, infographics, posters, and resources in Spanish.
• Guide for Local Governments to Encourage Home Composting (ILSR).
• Composting, Grasscycling, and Composting with Worms (Oregon Metro).
• Steps for Starting Composting at Home and Choosing a Bin Type (pdf) (2.3 MB) (South Carolina Office of Solid Waste Reduction and Recycling).
• Vermicomposting Guide and Troubleshooting Tips and Resources for Households (North Carolina State Extension).
• Como Compostaje en su Patio Trasero (Home Composting Guide in Spanish)(pdf) (991 KB) (District of Columbia Department of Public Works).
• Recycle Home
• Reduce and Reuse Basics
• Recycling Basics and Benefits
• Frequent Questions on Recycling
• How Do I Recycle...
• What You Can Do
• Used Electronics
• Used Batteries
• Food Waste Prevention
• Composting at Home
• Students and Educators

Sustainably Forward

Understanding Composting: 7 Easy Tips for Beginners

Unlock the secrets of composting with our easy guide Understanding Composting. Turn kitchen scraps into garden gold and make Mother Nature proud. Join us!

Ever wondered how you can turn your kitchen scraps into a treasure for your garden?

Well, the answer lies in ‘Understanding Composting’. It’s a simple, eco-friendly process that can transform your waste into nutrient-rich soil.

Not only does it help your plants thrive, but it also contributes to a healthier planet.

So, let’s dive in and unravel the magic of composting together!

Understanding Composting

Table of Contents

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on understanding composting.

If you’ve ever been curious about how to turn your everyday waste into a garden’s best friend, you’re in the right place.

In this post, we’ll explore the science behind composting, the different types you can try, and how to get started right at home.

We’ll also tackle common composting challenges and discuss the incredible impact composting can have on our environment.

So, whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, there’s something here for everyone.

Let’s embark on this green journey together!

Definition of Composting

Let’s start at the beginning, shall we?

Composting, in its simplest form, is a natural process that transforms your organic waste, think kitchen scraps like vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and eggshells into a rich, earthy substance that gardeners often refer to as ‘black gold’.

This transformation happens thanks to the hard work of microorganisms that break down the waste, turning it into nutrient-rich compost. It’s a bit like magic, but it’s actually science!

Importance of Composting

Now, you might be wondering, Why should I compost? Well, there are a ton of reasons!

For starters, composting is a fantastic way to reduce the amount of waste we send to landfills.

Did you know that about 30% of what we throw away are food scraps and yard waste?

By composting, we can divert these materials from landfills and put them to good use in our gardens instead.

But the benefits of composting go beyond waste reduction. The compost you create is packed full of nutrients that your plants will love.

It improves the structure and health of your soil, helping your plants grow stronger and healthier.

Plus, it’s a natural alternative to chemical fertilizers, which is a win for your garden and the environment.

And speaking of the environment, composting also plays a role in fighting climate change.

When organic waste ends up in a landfill, it decomposes in a way that produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas.

Composting that waste instead can significantly reduce methane emissions.

So, by composting, you’re not just nurturing your garden – you’re also helping to protect our planet. How amazing is that?

Basics of Composting

Ready to get down to the nitty-gritty? Let’s delve into the basics of composting.

This section is all about understanding the science behind this natural process, the steps involved, and the wonderful benefits it brings.

Whether you’re a newbie to the composting world or just need a refresher, we’ve got you covered.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get our hands a little dirty as we explore the fascinating world of composting!

The Science Behind Composting

Let’s kick things off with a bit of science. Composting is a natural process, but there’s a whole lot of biology and chemistry happening behind the scenes.

When you add organic waste to your compost pile, it becomes a feast for a host of microorganisms.

These tiny critters, including bacteria, fungi, and even insects, start breaking down the waste.

They use carbon for energy and nitrogen for protein to grow and reproduce.

As they work, they generate heat, which speeds up the decomposition process. It’s a bit like a mini ecosystem in your backyard!

The Composting Process

So, how does composting work in practice? It’s all about balance.

You need a mix of green materials (like vegetable scraps and grass clippings) that are high in nitrogen, and brown materials (like dry leaves and twigs) that are high in carbon.

You also need water to keep the compost pile moist, and air to provide oxygen for the microorganisms.

The process starts when you add your green and brown materials to your compost bin or pile.

The microorganisms get to work, breaking down the materials into compost.

This process can take anywhere from a couple of months to a year, depending on factors like the size of your compost pile, the materials you’re composting, and the weather.

Benefits of Composting

We’ve already touched on some of the benefits of composting, but let’s dive a bit deeper.

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste and fight climate change. But it also brings a host of benefits for your garden.

Compost improves soil structure, making it easier for plant roots to grow.

It increases the soil’s ability to hold water, which is great news for your plants during those hot summer months.

It also adds nutrients to the soil, helping your plants grow healthier and stronger.

And the benefits don’t stop at your garden’s edge. By improving soil health, composting also helps to prevent soil erosion, protect water quality, and even increase the soil’s ability to store carbon.

So, by composting, you’re not just creating a great soil conditioner for your garden you’re also contributing to a healthier environment. Now, that’s something to feel good about!

Composting is a controlled, aerobic (oxygen-required) process that converts organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil amendment or mulch through natural decomposition. The end product is compost – a dark, crumbly, earthy-smelling material. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to the compost pile during the composting process. They use carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce, water to digest materials, and oxygen to breathe. https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home

Types of Composting

Did you know there’s more than one way to compost? That’s right!

Depending on your living situation, the amount of waste you generate, and how hands-on you want to be, there’s a composting method that’s just right for you.

In this section, we’ll explore the different types of composting, from home composting in your backyard to vermicomposting with worms, and even large-scale industrial composting.

Each method has its own unique benefits and considerations, so let’s dive in and find the one that suits you best!

Home Composting

Home composting is probably the method you’re most familiar with. It’s a great option if you have a backyard and generate a fair amount of kitchen and garden waste.

You can use a compost bin or simply create a compost pile in a suitable spot in your yard.

The key to successful home composting is maintaining a good balance of green and brown materials, turning the compost regularly to aerate it, and keeping it moist but not wet.

With a little patience, you’ll be rewarded with rich, dark compost that your garden will love!

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting, or worm composting, is a fun and efficient way to compost, especially if you’re short on space.

It can even be done indoors! And it is odor free too.

In this method, you use a special type of worm called a red wiggler to break down your kitchen scraps.

The worms eat the scraps and produce worm castings a super nutrient-rich form of compost.

Vermicomposting is a bit more hands-on than other methods, as you need to take care of your worm population, but it’s a great learning experience, especially for kids!

Industrial Composting

Industrial composting is composting on a large scale.

It’s typically done by municipalities or commercial composting facilities and can handle larger volumes and a wider range of materials than home composting.

This includes things like yard waste, food scraps, and even compostable packaging.

Industrial composting facilities use controlled conditions to speed up the composting process and ensure the compost is safe and high-quality.

The finished compost is then often sold to farmers, landscapers, and gardeners.

In-vessel Composting

In-vessel composting is a type of industrial composting, but it can also be done on a smaller scale.

In this method, organic waste is composted in a closed system, such as a drum, silo, or tunnel.

The conditions inside the system including temperature, moisture, and aeration are carefully controlled to speed up the composting process.

In-vessel composting is a fast and efficient method, and because it’s a closed system, it’s also a good option if odors are a concern.

How to Start Composting at Home

Feeling inspired to start composting at home? In this section, we’ll guide you through the process step by step.

From choosing the right compost bin to deciding what to compost and understanding how to maintain your compost pile, we’ve got you covered.

Composting at home is easier than you might think, and it’s a wonderful way to contribute to a healthier planet right from your own backyard.

So, let’s get started on your composting journey!

Choosing a Compost Bin

The first step in your home composting journey is choosing the right compost bin.

There are many options available, from simple compost piles to plastic bins, wooden crates, or even tumbling composters .

The best choice depends on your needs and the space you have available.

If you have a large backyard, a compost pile or a wooden crate might be a good fit.

If you have a smaller space, a plastic bin or a tumbling composter could be more suitable.

Remember, the compost bin doesn’t have to be fancy. It just needs to hold your compost and allow it to decompose.

What to Compost

Next, let’s talk about what you can compost. A good rule of thumb is to compost plant-based materials.

This includes fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves, grass clippings, and small branches.

You can also compost eggshells and paper products, like newspaper and cardboard.

Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests.

Also, avoid composting diseased plants or weeds, as these can spread disease or weed seeds in your compost.

Steps to Start Composting

Starting your compost pile is easy. First, choose a spot for your compost bin or pile.

It should be easily accessible and have good drainage. Next, start your compost pile with a layer of brown materials, like leaves or small branches. This helps with aeration and drainage. Then, add a layer of green materials, like vegetable scraps or grass clippings.

Keep adding layers of brown and green materials, and make sure to keep the compost pile moist, but not wet.

Maintaining Your Compost Pile

Maintaining your compost pile is an ongoing process, but it’s not difficult.

The key is to keep the compost pile balanced and aerated. This means adding a mix of green and brown materials, turning the compost pile regularly to let in air, and keeping the compost pile moist.

If the compost pile starts to smell, it might be too wet or need more air.

If it’s not decomposing, it might be too dry or need more green materials.

With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it and be on your way to creating rich, nutrient-filled compost for your garden.

Common Composting Problems and Solutions

Composting is a natural process, but like any new endeavor, it can come with its share of challenges.

But don’t worry most composting problems are easy to solve once you know what to look for.

In this section, we’ll cover some common issues you might encounter, from unpleasant odors to pesky pests, and we’ll provide practical solutions to get your compost pile back on track.

Remember, every composting journey has its bumps, but with a little patience and know-how, you’ll be a composting pro in no time!

If your compost pile starts to smell, it’s usually a sign that something’s off balance.

A healthy compost pile should have a pleasant, earthy smell. If it smells like rotten eggs, it might be too wet or not getting enough air.

This can happen if there’s too much green material and not enough brown material.

To fix this, try turning the compost pile to let in more air and adding more brown materials, like leaves or straw.

If the compost pile smells like ammonia, it might have too much green material. Again, adding more brown materials should help.

Pests can be a nuisance in the compost pile. Rats, raccoons, and other animals might be attracted to the food scraps in your compost.

To deter them, make sure to bury food scraps under brown materials and avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods.

If pests continue to be a problem, consider using a compost bin with a lid or a tumbling composter.

Slow Decomposition

If your compost pile seems to be decomposing slowly, there could be a few reasons.

• It might be too dry, in which case you can water it lightly.

• It might not have enough green materials, which provide nitrogen for the composting microorganisms.

• Try adding more vegetable scraps or grass clippings. The compost pile might also be too small.

• A larger pile will heat up more, which speeds up the composting process.

• If all else fails, turning the compost pile can help to mix up the materials and introduce more air, which should speed up decomposition.

Using Compost in Your Garden

Once you’ve created your rich, nutrient-filled compost, it’s time to put it to good use! But how exactly do you use compost in your garden?

In this section, we’ll guide you through the best ways to utilize your homemade compost to enrich your soil, boost your plants, and create a thriving garden.

From when to use compost to how to apply it, we’ll cover everything you need to know to make the most of your compost.

So, let’s get your garden growing!

When to Use Compost

Knowing when to use compost can make a big difference in your gardening success.

Generally, it’s a good idea to add compost to your garden a few weeks before you start planting.

This gives the compost time to integrate with the soil and start improving its structure and fertility.

If you’re planting in the spring, add compost in the late fall or early winter.

If you’re planting in the fall, add compost in the late summer. You can also add compost to established plants during their growing season to give them a nutrient boost.

How to Use Compost

Using compost in your garden is pretty straightforward.

For new garden beds, you can mix compost into the top few inches of soil.

This helps improve soil structure, moisture retention, and nutrient content.

For established garden beds, you can add a layer of compost around the base of your plants.

This is called side-dressing and it provides nutrients to the plants as the compost breaks down.

You can also use compost as a mulch to help suppress weeds and retain moisture.

Just add a 2-3 inch layer of compost on top of your soil, making sure not to pile it up against the stems of your plants.

Remember, compost is a soil conditioner, not a fertilizer, so it should be used in addition to, not instead of, your regular fertilizing routine.

The Impact of Composting on the Environment

Composting isn’t just great for your garden. It’s also a wonderful way to help the environment.

By composting, you’re reducing waste, improving soil health, and even helping to combat climate change. But how does this all work?

In this section, we’ll delve into the environmental impact of composting, exploring how this simple act can have far-reaching effects on our planet.

So, let’s dig in and discover the power of composting for a healthier, greener world!

Waste Reduction

One of the most immediate benefits of composting is waste reduction.

Did you know that about 30% of what we throw away could be composted instead?

By composting your kitchen scraps and yard waste, you’re diverting a significant amount of waste from landfills.

This not only saves landfill space but also reduces the production of methane, a potent greenhouse gas that’s released when organic waste decomposes in landfills.

So, every time you add to your compost pile, you’re helping to reduce waste and protect our environment.

Soil Health

Composting is also a boon for soil health. The compost you create is rich in nutrients and beneficial microorganisms.

When you add compost to your garden, you’re not just feeding your plants. 

You’re also improving the structure of your soil and increasing its ability to retain water.

This leads to healthier, more resilient plants and reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers.

Plus, healthy soil is better at absorbing and storing carbon, which helps to combat climate change.

Climate Change Mitigation

Speaking of climate change, composting plays a surprising role in mitigating this global challenge.

When you compost, you’re helping to sequester carbon in the soil, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Plus, by reducing your waste and thus the amount of waste going to landfills, you’re helping to decrease methane emissions.

And let’s not forget the role of compost in growing healthy plants, which absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

So, while composting might seem like a small act, it’s one way you can make a positive impact on the climate.

Understanding Composting FAQs

Still have questions about composting? You’re not alone! Composting is a fascinating process, and there’s always more to learn.

In this section, we’ll tackle some of the most frequently asked questions about composting.

From the first rule of composting to what’s inappropriate for your compost pile, we’ve got the answers you’re looking for.

So, let’s dive into these FAQs and deepen our understanding of composting together!

Q: What do I wish I knew before composting?

A: Before starting composting, it’s helpful to know that balance is key.

You need a good mix of green materials (like vegetable scraps) for nitrogen and brown materials (like leaves or newspaper) for carbon.

Also, composting is more than just piling up waste.

Turning your compost pile regularly helps speed up the process by introducing oxygen, and keeping the pile moist, but not too wet, is important for the composting microorganisms.

Q: What is the first rule of composting?

A: The first rule of composting is to maintain a balanced diet for your compost pile.

This means adding a mix of green materials, which are rich in nitrogen, and brown materials, which are rich in carbon. A good rule of thumb is to aim for a ratio of 2:1 browns to greens.

This balance helps to ensure that your compost pile decomposes effectively and doesn’t produce bad odors.

Q: What is inappropriate for composting?

A: While many kitchen scraps and yard waste materials are great for composting, there are some things you should avoid.

Meat, dairy, and oily foods can attract pests and create bad odors. Diseased plants or weeds with seeds can spread disease or weeds in your garden when you use the compost.

Also, avoid composting pet waste, as it can contain harmful pathogens.

Q: Which method of composting will break down the fastest?

A: The speed of composting depends on several factors, including the materials you’re composting, the size of your compost pile, and how often you turn it.

However, in general, hot composting tends to be the fastest method. This involves building a large compost pile all at once and turning it regularly to maintain high temperatures.

With this method, you can produce finished compost in as little as a few weeks to a couple of months.

As we wrap up our deep dive into understanding composting, it’s clear that this simple process has far-reaching benefits.

From enriching our gardens to reducing waste and combating climate change, composting is a powerful tool for sustainable living.

In this final section, we’ll recap what we’ve learned and hopefully inspire you to start or continue your composting journey.

So, let’s take a moment to reflect on the magic of composting and look forward to a greener future!

Understanding Composting Recap

We’ve covered a lot of ground in our exploration of composting. Here are the key points:

• Definition and Importance of Composting : We started with understanding what composting is and why it’s so important for our gardens and the environment.

• Basics of Composting: We delved into the science behind composting, the process it involves, and the numerous benefits it offers.

• Types of Composting: We explored different types of composting, including home composting, vermicomposting, industrial composting, and in-vessel composting.

• Starting Composting at Home: We learned how to start composting at home, from choosing the right compost bin to deciding what to compost and understanding the steps involved.

• Common Composting Problems and Solutions: We discussed common composting problems like bad odors, pests, and slow decomposition, and how to solve them.

• Using Compost in Your Garden: We learned how and when to use compost in our gardens for the best results.

• Impact of Composting on the Environment: We discussed how composting contributes to waste reduction, improves soil health, and helps mitigate climate change.

• FAQs: We answered some frequently asked questions about composting to clear up common misconceptions and provide additional insights.

Encouragement to Start Composting

Now that you’re armed with all this knowledge, we encourage you to start composting if you haven’t already.

It’s a rewarding process and composting benefits your garden but it also contributes to a healthier planet.

Remember, every bit of kitchen scrap or yard waste you compost is one less piece of waste going to the landfill.

And the rich, nutrient-filled compost you create is like gold for your garden.

So, why wait? Start your composting journey today and join the ranks of those making a difference one compost pile at a time!

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What is composting.

Composting is the 'breaking down' of organic matter. This decay is a thriving process of change involving millions of organisms busily recycling organic matter & converting it into nutrient rich compost. You can easily do this at home with your daily kitchen waste!

The Composting Process

1. a natural process.

Just like a banana peel goes black over time, all organic matter decomposes under the right conditions. Decomposition is a natural process, it is natures way of recycling and is not man made.

2. It's full of life!

Bacteria, fungi, worms, beetles, mites, ants, lizards and more are all present and help decomposition. Time to make new friends!

3. Releases leachate & reduces in volume

Water in the organic matter is released during decomposition. This water is called leachate. This release shrinks the volume of organic matter by at least 70%

4. Oxygen ensures no bad odours

When oxygen circulates in the pile it releases carbon dioxide which is odourless. A lack of oxygen causes the release of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide which are smelly gases. Daily Dump composting is smell free as Remix powder provides air gaps for oxygen and absorbs moisture.

5. Generates heat

Decomposition is an exothermic reaction which means it releases energy in the form of heat. This is thanks to the millions of bacteria that work to break down organic matter into compost.

6. Needs the right mix

When one or more element is not in balance, aerobic decomposition is not optimal. This is when it takes longer or remains incomplete. It's just like getting the right balance of materials while cooking!

Decomposition of organic matter creates compost. It is dark & crumbly, smells like earth and is food for plants. We have forgotten the importance of compost in our daily lives.

You can create organic compost at home from your kitchen waste - it is satisfying & addictive! The image above shows mature, sieved compost.

The three main methods of decomposition have many variations, each with its pros and cons. Daily Dump uses the aerobic composting method.

In the presence of oxygen

In sealed spaces

Vermicomposting

Speeded up by earthworms

9 reasons to start today

1. You don't need a PhD to do this -it's simple!

2. You have the raw materials

3. Reduce the strain on the public system

4. Organic waste does not need to travel

5. Mixing organic with other waste is bad for the earth

6. Responsibility + awareness + simple logic = compost at home

7. Help ragpickers & recyclers earn more

8. Compost is nutrition for the Earth

9. It's a great way to remember you are connected!

If decomposition is a natural process, then what is Daily Dump’s role?

How come so few people compost at home, 1. most urban indians don't know that you can compost at home.

Do you know what happens after you flush the toilet? Most municipalities also don't know the power of decentralized systems. They expect huge waste management projects to solve our exploding cities waste problems.

2. Our urban homes / flats today have no space for a garden pit

Traditional pit composting cannot fit in the city. Have you seen flats or homes designed with space for waste generation and composting?

3. A pit attracts rats and dogs and is difficult to access

Those who have space for pits in the city do try - they complain about rats and dogs and the problem of access and maintenance. Heavy rains create a mess at pits too.

4. People have a fear that composting is unhygienic and pest ridden

Urban Indians who do know something about composting are convinced that its not their job - it’s the municipalities job. What they don't know is, if managed well, there are no problems like pests and smell and disease.

5. There was no product range that was functional and looked beautiful...

...and one that resolved odour, feeling yucky and the space problem. Now, with Daily Dump and others who are building solutions, we hope that more and more people will begin composting at home!

FAQs about Composting Basics

Composting is the decomposition of plant remains and other once-living materials to make an earthy, dark, crumbly substance that enriches soil. It is a process of recycling your kitchen and garden wastes, and is a critical step in reducing the volume of garbage needlessly sent to landfills for disposal. Composting is not a new idea. In the natural world, composting is what happens as leaves pile up on the forest floor and begin to decay. Eventually, nutrients from the rotting leaves are reclaimed by living roots. This completes nature’s recycling process.

It is as old as man. Some cultures practiced it more than others. In recent times its advantages have made it an important part of agricultural practice world wide. It is gaining recognition as a safe method to regenerate the earth.

Yes, because compost is nature's way of recycling nutrients.

In broad terms, there are two major kinds of food that composting microbes need: 'Browns' are dry and dead plant materials such as straw, dry brown weeds, leaves and twigs. These materials are primarily composed of chemicals that are long chains of sugar molecules linked together. Browns are a source of carbon and energy for compost microbes. 'Greens' are fresh plant materials such as green leaves and garden clippings, kitchen, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, tea bags, etc. Compared to browns, greens contain more nitrogen which is a critical element in amino acids and proteins. So greens can be thought of as a protein source for the billions of multiplying microbes. Browns, tend to be bulky and promote good aeration. Greens, on the other hand, are typically high in moisture, and balance out the dry nature of the browns. A good mix of browns and greens forms the best nutritional balance for microbes. This mix also helps maintain aeration and moisture levels in the pile. The above explanation is a simplified way of understanding compost. For a more detailed scientific explanation see site - according to us, it explains compost very well.

Yes, compost happens faster in warm weather. Our Indian weather is ideal for composting in most parts of the country. We just have to make sure that the moisture is right in places where it gets too hot and dry

Composting helps prevent global warming by reducing emissions of methane, a powerful greenhouse gas which gets produced when organic waste decomposes when buried in landfill sites. Read a paper here that shows how composting reduces green house gases

From the Daily Dump Blog

From Symbol to Jugaad to Product

From Symbol to Jugaad to Product.

We are at the verge of launching our new product at Daily Dump – yes, another home composter. This composter marks one more notch on the exploratory journey that began in 2006. Our aim was to seed a new social norm, and to do this, we built several products in succession. This is the story behind them.

Exciting Expert Workshops at Yellow House Bazaar!

All the wonderful brands under one yellow roof! | The Daily Dump Blog

From organic skin care to handmade home decor, preloved clothing to conscious food and responsible waste disposal, the Yellow House Bazaar has it all! Check out the list of brands here, and come visit us on 20th & 21st August 2022. 

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Overcoming composting challenges: #CompostingWarrior Anisha Nayak shares her journey!

Black Gold – what is that?

Black Gold - what is that?

Most of us do not know that our kitchen waste can actually produce a very valuable material which is called Black Gold, since from the perspective of the earth, it is even more valuable than yellow gold! 

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• Biology Article

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting definition.

“Vermicomposting is a process in which the earthworms convert the organic waste into manure rich in high nutritional content.”

Read on to explore what is vermicomposting and the process involved in vermicomposting.

What is Vermicomposting?

Vermicomposting is the scientific method of making compost, by using earthworms. They are commonly found living in soil, feeding on biomass and excreting it in a digested form.

Vermiculture means “worm-farming”. Earthworms feed on the organic waste materials and give out excreta in the form of “vermicasts” that are rich in nitrates and minerals such as phosphorus, magnesium, calcium and potassium. These are used as fertilizers and enhance soil quality.

Vermicomposting comprises two methods:

• Bed Method:  This is an easy method in which beds of organic matter are prepared.
• Pit Method:  In this method, the organic matter is collected in cemented pits. However, this method is not prominent as it involves problems of poor aeration and waterlogging.

Also, refer to  Morphology and Anatomy of Earthworm

Process of Vermicomposting

The entire process of vermicomposting is mentioned below:

To prepare vermicompost using earthworms and other biodegradable wastes.

This process is mainly required to add nutrients to the soil. Compost is a natural fertilizer that allows an easy flow of water to the growing plants. The earthworms are mainly used in this process as they eat the organic matter and produce castings through their digestive systems.

The nutrients profile of vermicomposts are:

• 1.6 per cent of Nitrogen.
• 0.7 per cent of Phosphorus.
• 0.8 per cent of Potassium.
• 0.5 per cent of Calcium.
• 0.2 per cent of Magnesium.
• 175 ppm of Iron.
• 96.5 ppm of Manganese.
• 24.5 ppm of Zinc.

Also Read:  Garbage in garbage out

Materials Required

• Thatch Roof.
• Soil or Sand.
• Gunny bags.
• Earthworms.
• Weed biomass
• A large bin (plastic or cemented tank).
• Dry straw and leaves collected from paddy fields.
• Biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen.
• To prepare compost, either a plastic or a concrete tank can be used. The size of the tank depends upon the availability of raw materials.
• Collect the biomass and place it under the sun for about 8-12 days. Now chop it to the required size using the cutter.
• Prepare a cow dung slurry and sprinkle it on the heap for quick decomposition.
• Add a layer (2 – 3 inch) of soil or sand at the bottom of the tank.
• Now prepare fine bedding by adding partially decomposed cow dung, dried leaves and other biodegradable wastes collected from fields and kitchen. Distribute them evenly on the sand layer.
• Continue adding both the chopped bio-waste and partially decomposed cow dung layer-wise into the tank up to a depth of 0.5-1.0 ft.
• After adding all the bio-wastes, release the earthworm species over the mixture and cover the compost mixture with dry straw or gunny bags.
• Sprinkle water on a regular basis to maintain the moisture content of the compost.
• Cover the tank with a thatch roof to prevent the entry of ants, lizards, mouse, snakes, etc. and protect the compost from rainwater and direct sunshine.
• Have a frequent check to avoid the compost from overheating. Maintain proper moisture and temperature.

Also Read:  Think and throw

After the 24th day, around 4000 to 5000 new worms are introduced and the entire raw material is turned into the vermicompost.

Advantages Of Vermicomposting

The major benefits of vermicomposting are:

• Develops roots of the plants.
• Improves the physical structure of the soil.
• Vermicomposting increases the fertility and water-resistance of the soil.
• Helps in germination, plant growth, and crop yield.
• Nurtures soil with plant growth hormones such as auxins, gibberellic acid, etc.

Also refer:   Vermiculture

Disadvantages of Vermicomposting

Following are the important disadvantages of vermicomposting:

• It is a time-consuming process and takes as long as six months to convert the organic matter into usable forms.
• It releases a very foul odour.
• Vermicomposting is high maintenance. The feed has to be added periodically and care should be taken that the worms are not flooded with too much to eat.
• The bin should not be too dry or too wet. The moisture levels need to be monitored periodically.
• They nurture the growth of pests and pathogens such as fruit flies, centipede and flies.

Vermicomposting turns the kitchen waste and other green waste into dark, nutrient-rich soil. Due to the presence of microorganisms, it maintains healthy soil.

Vermicomposting is an eco-friendly process that recycles organic waste into compost and produces valuable nutrients.

Also Read:  Garbage in Garbage out

To know more about Vermicomposting, its process, and advantages of vermicomposting, keep visiting  BYJU’S Biology .

Put your understanding of this concept to test by answering a few MCQs. Click ‘Start Quiz’ to begin!

Select the correct answer and click on the “Finish” button Check your score and answers at the end of the quiz

Visit BYJU’S for all Biology related queries and study materials

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thank u .your help will be very helpful for me.

I like your lecture on production of vermicompost organic fertilizer.

Thank yiu so much

I am a retired person & now I am interested in planting flowers, fruits & some vegetables which can be grown at home

Preparation of vermicompost is good

Very useful technical learning blog for students, farmers and scientific community.

Useful information. Thank you very much

Thank you so much .!! this is very helpful

It was so useful thank you so much

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