Composting is creating a place or environment where organic matter can decompose very fast and in a cleaner way than landfills. It disintegrates food waste and other organic materials into fertile soil that is great for gardening.
You might ask: why is composting better than putting my organic matter into the landfill? The answer has to do with the way matter decomposes and the gas that it releases.
All organic matter is made up of carbon and when it decomposes, it releases the carbon back to the earth in the form of carbon dioxide. This is a good and natural cycle.
Landfills, however, don’t allow for the flow of oxygen, so matter can’t decompose the way it should. This causes it to release 50% of it’s gas as methane.
Remember that methane holds 25% more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide.
| GAS PRODUCED | HOW IT DECOMPOSES | |
| LANDFILLS: | 50% methane 50% carbon dioxide | Anaerobic (without oxygen) |
| COMPOST: | Mainly carbon dioxide | Aerobic (with oxygen) |
Whatever way you decay organic matter it produces a greenhouse gas. These gases contribute to the heating of our planet by trapping the sun’s heat in our atmosphere. But certain gases hold more heat than others. Carbon dioxide holds less heat than methane, so we would rather decompose our organic matter in a way that produces only carbon dioxide. That way is composting!
Cardboard, paper towels, shredded paper, leaves, twigs, dead house plants, etc.
Fruits, veggies, coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, etc.
There are two types of matter that are “allowed” in your compost: browns and greens. A mix of these heats up and decomposes the matter. You can start with a 2:1 (green to brown) ratio. You don’t have to be super precise in your ratios. If it seems that nothing is happening, add more greens. If it is starting to smell add more browns. You really just have to jig your ratio until it fits! Click here for more info.
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