Jan 15, 2021
“Do not spread compost on the weeds.” — William Shakespeare.
Shakespeare’s words demonstrate our power in life. Wherever we sow the highest quality care and attention will grow exponentially. Both personally, and in the garden.
On a mid-summer afternoon during my stint in Texas, I found myself wandering through the stalls of the Dallas Farmer’s Market. A Farmer’s Market is a mini-utopia where organic and local produce create a community around health, fresh food, and ethical practices. Between the local honey and bright blooms was a booth that caught my attention. The company, Turn, was offering a compost pick-up service for apartment dwellers like myself. I grabbed a flier, and to my dismay, their services did not reach my suburban town.
My sustainable spidey senses were tingling. I was already driving to the next town over every week to find recycling facilities. I let the challenge of living in a non-eco-friendly community drive me instead of discouraging me. I decided to give composting a try on my own.
I want to share my experience to hopefully inspire other caring humans that don’t have a backyard…yet. The planet is worth a little extra effort, am I right?
1. Why should we care?
By 2021, everyone should be aware of the devastating effects of global warming. It is a serious threat to all wildlife and the planet’s livable future. Organic waste in landfills generated methane, a greenhouse gas that scientists associate with global warming (epa.org). According to WorldWildlife.org, the US alone generates 37 million cars’ worth of greenhouse gas emissions in food waste every year. We can use composting to significantly lower methane emissions.
A shocking one-third of food produced will end up in a landfill instead of empty stomachs. Now, we can’t personally redistribute food to solve world hunger, but we can use composting to make sure that we are not contributing to the issue.
According to ReFED, educating consumers about food waste could prevent 2.3 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions (worldwildlife.org). The beautiful power of education!
But wait, there’s more! “Compost reduces and in some cases eliminates the need for chemical fertilizer…(and) promotes higher yield of agricultural crops,” explains the United States Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov). Sounds like a win, win to me!
2. If I don’t cook, will I produce enough compostable waste? How does composting work?
Any person who consumes coffee, tea and food will generate organic waste. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, every American person generates as much as one pound of food waste per day (Forbes). Most composters will accept these items: fruit and veggie scraps, coffee grounds with filters, tea bags, egg shells, grains, pasta, rice, bread, cooked meat, dairy and BPI certified compostables (Full Sun Composting). Leaves, twigs and plant material can be added to the compost as well.
Composting is a rather scientific ordeal. It requires four components: organic matter, moisture, oxygen, and bacteria. These components work together to support the decomposition by bacteria. The process takes an average of two weeks of natural heating and physical turning before “Voila!”, nutrient-rich compost is ready to be mixed with soil (University of Illinois Extension). The glorious cycle of life.
3. How do I make it functional when I live in the city? Will animals be stalking at my door?
As long as the compost is stored in an airtight container, you will have no problems with pests wanting to mack on your decomposing bin. All you need is a patio that can store a 5-gallon bucket from any hardware store. The Home Depot bucket will run you a grand total of $3.48.
There are tons of chic and savvy compost bins on the market that fit directly on the kitchen counter top. These models often come with a charcoal filter that keeps odors inside. If you aren’t ready to invest (as they can cost anywhere from $10-$50), you can use any container with an airtight lid. An empty Folgers coffee container will do the job perfectly.
*Clever compost tip: To keep the mess to a minimum, there are compostable bags that can be tied up and transported. I found mine on the internet for less than $5!
4. Where do I put it when it becomes full?
There is a high chance that your city already has a composting program that would lovingly accept your scraps. Most of these programs have pickup prescriptions, and will do the dirty work for you for a small monthly fee (somewhere around $20). If you want to avoid the fee, there are usually dump stations around town. No lie, it is a messy job. You might want to bring some cleaning standard gloves and some sanitizer for cleanup. You are a warrior for the planet, no one said it would all be lavender-scented!
*Clever compost tip: Think about your specific community. Do you know anyone that has been trying their hand at homesteading? Farmers, home-owners, gardeners are all in the business for nutrient-rich soil. Heck, if nothing comes to mind, find someone on Craigslist! Keep in mind, they will need a larger scale composting bin to turn the compost before using it.
5. Will it make a difference?
As with any efforts to combat climate change and preserve nature, even a small contribution makes a big difference. We cannot control the actions of others. We can use our voice and actions to inspire and share knowledge with others. Let’s fight together for a better future, for our radiant, diverse Earth that gives us all the goodness.
Sources:
Full Sun Composting — https://www.fullsuncomposting.com/faq/
Planet Forward — https://www.planetforward.org/idea/compost-myths-debunk
University of Illinois — https://web.extension.illinois.edu/compost/process.cfm
World Wildlife — https://www.worldwildlife.org/stories/fight-climate-change-by-preventing-food-waste
