Why Should I Compost & What Ingredients Should I Use?

No matter what resource you consult, it seems as though composting is always cited as one of the top lifestyle changes that can be made to benefit the environment, but what does it really mean? Quite literally, it refers to the act of converting biodegradable waste such as kitchen scraps along with landscaping material like grass clippings, pruned branches, weeds and other organic matter into a nutrient-rich soil-like product that can be used to augment gardens, lawns, houseplants and any plot of earth where plants are grown.

Beyond our own backyards, the act of individually composting helps to reduce the sheer volume of solid waste that is produced throughout communities across the world. When we make composting a part of our own personal routine, it relieves landfill pressure which in turn helps to make a dent in greenhouse gas emissions since the amount of methane gas generated through home composting is less than what is released when comingled municipal waste materials are left to stew in their own noxious cocktail of "juices".

For the whole process to happen, dry brown carbon-based materials like shredded leaves, finely ground wood and/or straw-like material must be mixed with moist, high nitrogen fruit and vegetable based matter such as herbivore based animal manure or last year's withered crops in a ratio of 25 to 1. The two magical ingredients that bring it all together are water (which boosts organism activity) and oxygen (which aids the decomposition process). By incorporating smaller pieces of organic material in your compost pile along with regular mixing and proper layering techniques, an ideal final product with the right consistency can be achieved in a shorter time period.

In a way, it is somewhat like a science project since you need the right combination of organic-based "food", water and air for the microbes to even want to get busy, but as long as you follow that formula, everything will be hunky-dorey. There are a few carnal sins to composting, however. You definitely don't want to add fatty food waste, meat or bones to the mix since their residues can coat the rest of the ingredients in your pile and cause everything to take a lot longer to break down (not to mention attract rodents). Also steer clear of cat and dog excrement which can both contain potential disease-causing organisms as well as used cat litter.

Here Are The Top Ingredients To Incorporate In Your Compost Pile:

Leaves, straw, grass, hay, alfalfa, pine needles, weeds, veggie and fruit scraps.

Coffee grounds and tea leaves or tea bags with no staples.

Gum. Yes, gum.

Non-glossy shredded cardboard packaging, paper based materials and junk mail.

Old leather and pet rawhide chews.

Paper-based items like used napkins, paper towels, disposable cups, plates and cardboard egg containers.

Nutshells, eggshells, seafood shells.

Cut flower bouquets that have met the end of their lifespan.

Herbivore-based pet bedding for friendly household rodents like hamsters, rabbits, etc.

Pet and human hair, as well as pet and human nails (free of all chemical polishes and varnishes). Feathers also count!

Moldy cheese.

Dryer lint, the contents of your vacuum bag and other assorted dust bunnies.

Citrus peels, melon rinds and corn cobs (must be chopped up finely first).

100% biodegradable sheepskin and latex condoms, as well as latex balloons.

Wine corks and actual wine (but why would you ever want to waste a good thing like that?).

100% cotton balls, swabs with paper or wooden sticks and holey cotton clothing/socks (it's ideal if you cut materials up into smaller pieces first).