How To Compost

With global warming and economic meltdown covering the front page of every newspaper, individuals are looking for increasing ways to do their part. Becoming ecologically responsible isn’t hard and is something everyone can do. Composting is an easy and excellent way to help save money and the planet.

The idea behind composting is simple: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”. While a bit cliché, this concept has been around since the beginning of man. Ancient civilizations employed the use of composts to eliminate organic waste and help improve soil quality. Today, millions have latched onto the idea and are beginning to compost in backyards everywhere.

To join the ranks of eco-friendly composters across the globe, here’s what to do:

PICK A BIN:

While the use of composting bins is not necessary to compost, they do serve a purpose. Compost bins allow for quicker decomposition, provide protection of compost materials from scavenging animals, and help keep the compost pile from becoming an unsightly mess.

Bins can be purchased or made from home. Ready made bins can be found online or at most home improvement stores. Dependent on the style and size, most pre-manufactured compost bins start around $30.00 and can range into the hundreds. High quality bins can be expected to cost as much as $600.00.

If this price tag seems a little hefty, creating a homemade composting bin is uncomplicated, requires little skill and the purchase of only a few items. Here are the things needed to build a small starter composter:

• 3ftx5ft precut chicken wire for the compost walls.
• 2 to 4 wooden or metal stakes to steady the walls.
• Hammer to pound in stakes.
• 16 inches of galvanized wire for connecting the walls and stakes.
• Wire cutters to trim extra wire.
• Pliers to bend the connecting wires.

START BUILDING:

After gathering the necessary parts and tools, assembly can begin. Construction should only take10 to 15 minutes for completion. Follow the steps below:

1. With precut chicken wire on the ground lengthwise, hold the top of one end and pull to the opposite end. At this point, the chicken wire should have the shape of a cylinder.
2. Using extra galvanized wire and pliers, connect the two ends. Generally, there should be a connection at the top, middle, and bottom.
3. Stand the cylinder up and place it in the area where composting will be done.
4. Hammer into the ground, 2 to 4 wooden or metal stakes on the inside walls of cylinder.
5. Tie the stakes to side using galvanized wire and trim with wire cutters.

REDUCE AND REUSE:

When assembly is complete, the new composter is ready to work. Simply toss in unused organic scraps such as egg shells, coffee grounds, newspaper, cardboard, and vegetables. Other organic ingredients like hair trimmings, animal manure, and grass cuttings can also be added. It has, however; been recommended that meat and dairy products not be used for composting as they present problems with odor and unwanted pests.

Once the compactor begins to fill, the contents inside will start to decompose. After a couple of weeks, the product of decomposition becomes a high grade fertilizer that can be used in the garden, on the lawn, or in house plants.

Composting may seem like a tiny way to help protect the environment, but its benefits are huge. When people use composting systems, not only does it reduce the amount of bulk waste in landfills, it also creates a valuable product out of common waste.