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-as potting soil, -as mulch for the lawn and garden, -to increase air and water absorption in soil, -to decrease erosion, -to suppress weed growth, and -to improve soil texture |
First, composting makes sense. Insteading of sending useful organic matter to a landfill (which in many states has been outlawed), it can be transformed into a useful additive which can even be sold.
Second, composting is easy. Common materials like chicken wire, bricks, and buckets are all it takes to begin composting, which can be done either indoors or outdoors. Maintenance isn't difficult either: regular mixing and a little water can ensure success.
Some Other Ways Compost Can Be Used.
Compost can be used for a variety of gardening projects. It can enrich gardens, improve the soil around trees and shrubs, and be used as a soil additive for house plants and planter boxes. Compost can enhance soil texture, increase the ability of the soil to absorb air and water, suppress weed growth, decrease erosion, and reduce the need to apply chemical fertilizers.
What to compost - The IN List.
Cardboard rolls | Clean paper | Coffee grounds & filters |
Eggshells | Fireplace ashes | Fur |
Gray cardboard boxes | Hair | Leaves and grass |
Sawdust | Shredded newspaper | Tea bags |
Vacuum cleaner lint | Vegetable trimmings | Wool and cotton rags |
What not to compost - The OUT List.
Keep out... | Reason why ... |
Black walnut leaves/twigs | toxic to tomatoes |
Egg yolks | attracts vermin |
Meat | attracts flies and rodents |
Oils and grease | produces odor and attracts vermin |
Pesticides | can kill composting organisms and concentrate in compost |
Pet poop | can carry disease and attracts flies |
Across the nation, composting is gaining increased attention as an
environmentally sound way to manage yard wastes. Yard wastes are such
material as leaves, grass clippings, brush, and tree prunings. Many
communities and states have banned yard wastes from landfills.
Composting diverts yard wastes from landfills and combustors. The U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends composting of yard wastes.
Not only is composting sensible from an environmental perspective, it also
effectively converts yard wastes into a useful soil additive or mulch.
If composting at home isn't possible, contact your local solid waste authority to learn about community composting of yard trimmings and garden debris. Many communities even have curbside collection - and if yours doesn't, maybe you can help to get one started!
Why Not Put Yard Wastes in Landfills?
Since these materials are relatively clean and biodegradable, disposal in landfills may be unnecessary and wastes space. In addition, as yard wastes decompose in landfills, they generate methane gas and acidic leachate. Methane is a colorless, explosive gas that is released as bacteria decompose organic material s in landfills. If methane is not controlled at a landfill, it can seep underground and into nearby buildings, where it has the potential to explode. Yard wastes also contribute acidity that can make other waste constituents more mobile and therefore more toxic.
Why Not Burn Leaves and Other Yard Wastes?
Burning leaves and other yard wastes pollutes the air and can lead to uncontrolled fires. Leaf smoke can make breathing difficult for people who suffer from asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or allergies. A number of states currently ban leaf burning, and some communities either ban leaf burning or restrict when and where it can take place.