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.

Contrary to popular belief, recycling is not a new idea. For centuries, civilizations have utilized the process to turn trash into treasure. Ancient cultures used it as a way of disposal, while the Romans employed its uses for the reformation of statues and idols. In the 21st century, recycling evolved into a front page cause. Due to increasing environmental awareness, people the world over began to reduce and reuse.
There is a multitude of byproducts that are viable for recycling. Many can be found around the house or neighborhood. Some common items that are recyclable are:

• Metal- Aluminum, copper, steel, and iron.
• Plastic- Milk jugs, bags, and bottles.
• Glass-Bottles and untreated window panes.
• Paper products- Cardboard, newspaper, bags.
• Food scraps-Fruit peels, vegetables, egg shells, coffee grounds.

When a product is recycled, it is broken down into its basic form. Generally this is a liquid, but in the case of organic materials such as food and paper, these are often reduced to pulp or compost. After it is condensed, the product is then used to create a new and valuable commodity.
The benefits of recycling are far reaching. Ranging from soil enrichment to financial savings, recycling is a task that offers great rewards.
ECONOMIC ADVANTAGES:

• Using waste materials to produce new goods allows for decreased need of outsourcing to other countries for certain products.
• Recycling degradable materials such as paper and food scraps through composting can deliver high quality fertilizer for sale or home use.
• In a tough economy, the recycling industry provides thousands of job opportunities.
• Many communities and agencies offer payment to those who recycle.

ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANTAGES:

• Recycling helps to prevent limited essential resources from being depleted.
• Recycling reduces the number of landfills and the amount of trash in them.
• Composting is excellent for soil enrichment, using organic materials to replace unhealthy chemical fertilizers.
• Using recycled products in manufacture reduces energy needs and cost.
• Recycling aids in climate control by reducing the amount of greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere.

SOCIAL ADVANTGES:

• Recycling gives individuals a feeling of satisfaction in knowing that they are contributing to protecting and preserving the Earth.
• Environmental responsibility will be passed down to ensure that the planet can sustain future life.
• Globally, nations are joining together in the fight against environmental issues such as global warming.

The ease of recycling and its massive profit make it one of mankind’s greatest endeavors. Without it, the Earths reserves of vital elements would become depleted, its atmosphere eroded, and civilization would pay the ultimate cost.
To become a crucial element in the fight to save the planet, start recycling today. Here’s how to start:

• When tossing trash, separate it. Buy inexpensive bins that will hold plastics, glass, and aluminum.
• Start a compost heap. Use ordinary kitchen scraps to create organic nourishment for the garden and house plants.
• Turn in your outdated electronics such as computers, printers, and cell phones.
• Return or reuse plastic bags used for groceries or shopping.

While these ideas may seem simple, they are an admirable way in which everyone can participate in “going green”. In recycling, every little bit helps, one piece at a time.

In a time of climate control and “going green”, worm farming may be the ultimate in eco-friendly projects. Worm farms are cropping up worldwide as a way for citizens to reduce waste and create pure, organic fertilizers. While worm farms are often recognized for their commercial uses in the fishing industry, many individuals are finding its benefits right at home.

Worm composting, or vermiculture, is a simple process in which worm castings (fecal matter) are harvested and used as organic fertilizer. Starting a worm farm requires very little cost or skill. Ready made worm bins are available for purchase, but most individuals can create their own with only a few basic supplies. Below is a list of items to get started.

• 1 medium sized plastic or wood container.
• Bedding material consisting of dampened newspaper shreds and a small amount of soil.
• Food scraps for disposal, such as egg shells and vegetable products.
• Red Wiggler Worms.

To build the worm bin, simply layer bedding material, soil, and food scraps inside the container and place worms on top. Cover tightly with a lid and keep the container in a darkened room for about two weeks. After two weeks, worms should have multiplied and more scraps can be added for food. Castings from the worms are ready for harvesting when the bedding itself has been decomposed.

To extract castings:

• Remove worms from compost; set to side.
• Place compost into new, air tight containers. This compost is now a high quality fertilizer to be used on plants and in the garden!
• After harvesting, simply begin the worm bin process again with bedding, soil, scraps and worms.

While maintaining a worm farm is virtually effortless, there are a few basic instructions that should be followed to help ensure productivity and sanitation.

• Overfeeding worms can lead to unpleasant odor.
• Too many acidic food scraps can harm or kill worms.
• Don’t use dairy or meat products to feed worms as this will cause odor and unwanted insects.

Worm farming is an excellent way to help the environment and produce a low cost, high quality fertilizer from the convenience of home. Worm farming can also be utilized as a self-employment opportunity. Here are a few distribution ideas for a start-up worm farm:

• Farmer’s Markets are a great place for getting home-made fertilizer into the hands of community members.
• E-bay can be an excellent resource for getting world wide recognition for your fertilizer product.
• Worms harvested as fishing bait can be sold to convenience stores in the area.

From the backyard to offices around the world, worm farms are cropping up everywhere. Many people find that worm farming is a rewarding project that not only offers a great feeling of “doing your part”, but also has the added satisfaction of saving money. Running a worm farm can bring feelings of independence and pride to its owner. If worm farming is of interest, there are unlimited possibilities as to what can be accomplished!