| With the planet in peril and our population using up | | | | about thirty percent of the waste found in U.S. |
| more resources everyday, it is important we | | | | streams; by composting, these things do not end |
| learn how to conserve, reduce and recycle what | | | | up in landfills or in water treatment facilities. |
| we already have. Turning off the tap in the sink | | | | Additionally, home composting is an excellent |
| while brushing your teeth can save gallons of | | | | educational tool, as it teaches kids and adults |
| water each time. Switching out incandescent light | | | | about conservation and how the natural world is |
| bulbs for compact fluorescent ones can cut back | | | | interconnected. |
| on the amount of electrical energy, thereby | | | | Breaking down materials into compost depends on |
| curbing greenhouse gas emissions. And of course, | | | | how much oxygen it receives, the temperature, |
| everyone knows that recycling plastics, aluminum | | | | how much water is in the pile, and the |
| and glass helps reuse these things and keep them | | | | carbon-nitrogen ratio. After about two months of |
| out of landfills. But there's another way to help | | | | layering materials like dead leaves, coffee |
| the environment and help your backyard flourish | | | | grounds, grass clippings, wood chips, fruit peels, |
| at the same time: composting. | | | | and more, your compost pile should turn into a |
| Home composting is one of the most | | | | fine soil amendment. Turning it over frequently |
| environmentally beneficial activities you can do in | | | | helps bring oxygen to the pile, making sure that |
| your home. Compost is the way nature recycles | | | | the decomposition process is speeded up. |
| organic materials into humus, or soil amendments | | | | While nature has been composting since, well, |
| like fertilizer. Finished compost is great for your | | | | forever, composting helps makes it go faster. |
| plants, as it helps retain water and keep pH levels | | | | Although all organic matter will eventually turn into |
| balanced. Essentially, it is far more effective and | | | | compost, a banana peel left in a landfill can take |
| nutritious than topsoil, and can be made in your | | | | up to fifteen years to decompose! Composting |
| backyard just by using materials you would | | | | yourself makes sure that banana peel goes right |
| otherwise throw away. | | | | back where it should be: into the ground and |
| By composting in your home, yard and food | | | | helping other plants grow and thrive. |
| wastes are put to good use. These make up | | | | |