The Garden Of Oz

Thoughts On International Composting Awareness Week.

We've talked about the science of composting here before. Good compost adds invaluable nutrients to your garden but it also plays a larger role in making your community and this planet a healthier place.

Did you know that International Composting Awareness Week is celebrated annually in May? Most people don't. Let's take a look at how composting makes a difference beyond your front door, hopefully by next May awareness will be up significantly.

According to Earth 911, the average American home throws away 1.3 pounds of food scraps every day. When these scraps go into landfills, they take longer to decompose and take up valuable land resources. You may not be ready to start composting, but you don't have to contribute to the problem!

Your waste disposal service may actually be able to help. Oregon has a commercial compost facility capable of processing traditional compost materials as well as meat, dairy products and non-vegetative food waste. Since the facility opened, the community (including homes and businesses) have doubled the quantity of food waste recycled. Restaurants are increasingly participating in composting pick up programs, as they are able to significantly reduce their waste disposal costs while positively impacting the environment. Restaurants with a focus on providing locally-sourced produce tend to be the leaders among this trend, creating a more sustainable marketplace with a smaller carbon footprint.

There are plenty of myths associated with composting and they can only be dispelled through education. The most common myth regarding composting is the odor issue. If you don’t use animal scraps (meat and dairy) in your compost pile and you maintain it properly, it won’t smell. Another common excuse for non-composters is a fear it will attract unwanted animals to your yard. Again, if you avoid animal scraps and keep up with maintenance, you won't have a worry! For those concerned about time commitments - bin or barrel composting is far less labor intensive than a pile and just as effective.

Composting doesn't end with food. Organic waste which also includes leaves, grass clippings and other yard waste can make up as much as 25% of the waste stream. By adding these items to your compost pile, or separating them for organic waste pickup (if available in your area) you can significantly improve the waste stream in your community. Don't be afraid to encourage your friends and neighbors to go greener - whether you can offer to accept their composting materials, help them start their own compost project, or rally together to improve your area's waste management practices.

If you have pets, you can also compost their waste, though it's a separate process from your standard household composting. Improperly disposed of dog waste can get into storm drains and if the storm drains do not connect to a treatment facility, the waste ends up in lakes and streams. Composted pet waste won't ever help your garden, but it will help to save the environment — and keep you from stepping in it in the yard!

Composting can make such a big difference, if everyone would just pitch in a little bit. So don't be afraid to speak up for composters everywhere and perhaps you'll find a few new recruits!

If you have any comments, I’d really like to hear from you.

OZ Gardener
The Garden Of Oz

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