Composting is one of the most beneficial habits households can adopt to reduce their food waste and carbon footprint. Implementing worldwide composting could reduce emissions by 2.3 billion tons over the next 30 years by reducing methane emissions from decomposing organic material in landfills. So, how can you bite the bullet and start composting in your home?
Step 1: Find a compost site. If you’re lucky enough to have a backyard, you can buy your own composting bin to produce fertilizer for your yard. Some counties also offer green waste cans which can be used for compost waste. If not, don’t worry. Farmers’ markets, community compost programs, and urban gardens often provide services to collect food scraps, or you can ask a neighbor or landscape company if they want to collaborate on a compost pile.
Step 2: Find a container. This can be as simple as an empty yogurt container or a more complex option with built-in odor filters. If you’re using a simple option, consider storing it in your freezer to cut down on odors. You can also line your container with biodegradable potato starch trash bags for easy disposal.
Step 3: Get cooking! You will be surprised at how much of your kitchen waste can be composted. Take those eggshells, carrot peels, melon rinds, and avocado pits and put them to good use!
Composting can significantly reduce methane emissions and also create rich fertile soil for use in local gardens. It will cut down on your landfill contributions and maybe even help you connect to your community and neighbors. Once you get started, you will find composting is easier and more rewarding than you ever imagined. So what are you waiting for?
