Why is Composting Important? Benefits for You & Environment

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links, meaning we may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through them.

Did you know that something as simple as composting can significantly impact combating climate change? According to the S.C.R.A.P. Lab’s groundbreaking study, “The ComPOSTer: How much can composting help in solving the climate challenge?” composting organic waste could reduce over 50% of carbon dioxide-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. This astonishing finding underscores the crucial role of composting in mitigating climate change. In this blog post, we review the importance of composting, exploring its environmental benefits and potential to reverse global warming.

5 Reasons to Compost

Reduce Waste in Landfills

Composting turns food scraps and yard trimmings into valuable organic matter, drastically reducing waste sent to landfills. We reduce municipal solid waste by transforming these organic materials at home or in community settings. This reduction helps combat problems associated with landfill overuse, such as space shortages and soil contamination. Each ton of organic waste composted means less trash contributing to the growing piles in landfills. This process saves space and reduces the production of methane gas, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Cutting methane emissions further showcases composting’s role in fighting climate change. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reports that food scraps and yard waste constitute over 28% of waste in landfills and combustion facilities. Composting can significantly diminish the volume of food individuals discard into the trash.

Cuts Methane Emissions

Moving from reducing waste that heads to landfills, we see another significant benefit: cutting methane emissions. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas that is far more potent than carbon dioxide in the short term. By composting organic waste like food scraps and yard waste, we prevent it from decaying anaerobically (without oxygen) in landfills, where it would release methane into the atmosphere. Instead, composting promotes aerobic decomposition, which doesn’t produce methane. This process reduces harmful greenhouse gases and turns what would have been pollution into a valuable resource for enhancing soil. We transform potential methane emissions into nutrient-rich soil through composting, positively impacting our planet’s climate crisis. As of 2021, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that municipal solid waste landfills represent the third most significant contributor to human-related methane emissions in the United States, constituting roughly 14% of total methane emissions.

Improves Soil Health and Reduces Erosion

Composting turns kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold for gardens by enhancing soil health. Adding compost to the soil increases its organic matter content, which improves soil structure. This means the soil can hold more water and nutrients, making it fertile ground for plants to grow strong and healthy. Moreover, healthier soils with plenty of organic material are less prone to erosion because they bind together better, reducing runoff during heavy rains. The benefits extend beyond just growing healthier plants; they contribute to a healthier planet by conserving water and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost acts like a sponge that retains moisture in the soil, which cuts down on the amount of water needed from outside sources. It also introduces beneficial microorganisms into the soil that help break down organic materials into plant-available nutrients, thereby decreasing reliance on synthetic options that can harm the environment. The following section explores how conserving water is critical in sustainable gardening practices. 

In the United States, the City of San Francisco initiated a successful composting program to combat erosion on steep terrain within its parks. The city generated premium compost using organic waste materials sourced from residential and commercial sectors. Applying this compost onto park areas significantly stabilized steep slopes and mitigated erosion. The program demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in curbing soil loss and preventing water pollution. Setting an ambitious target in 2002, San Francisco aimed to achieve a 75% waste diversion rate by 2010, marking a pivotal step towards its overarching goal of zero waste, where no material ends up in landfills or undergoes high-temperature destruction. They surpassed this target two years ahead of schedule, reaching a diversion rate of over 80%, thereby substantially reducing waste disposal.

Conserves Water

Composting conserves water by improving soil moisture retention, reducing the need for frequent irrigation, and preventing water runoff. The organic matter in compost enhances soil structure, allowing it to better absorb and hold onto moisture. This can be especially beneficial in areas prone to drought or sandy soils struggling to retain water. By incorporating compost into gardening and landscaping practices, individuals contribute to water conservation efforts and reduce the strain on local water resources. Furthermore, composting helps prevent soil erosion, which can lead to a loss of valuable topsoil. Healthy soils created through composting are more resistant to deterioration and better equipped to support plant growth while retaining essential nutrients – ultimately contributing to improved water quality by minimizing runoff pollution.

Reduces Food Waste

Composting reduces personal food waste by providing a sustainable way to dispose of kitchen scraps. By diverting food waste from landfills, composting minimizes the release of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. It also allows individuals to recycle their organic matter into nutrient-rich soil for gardening or landscaping, closing the loop on their food waste. This process significantly decreases the amount of household waste in overstressed landfills and positively contributes to the environment through reduced emissions and enhanced soil health.

Types of Composting

Composting comes in various forms, including home, community, and vermicomposting. Each method offers unique advantages for sustainability and waste reduction.

Home composting

Home composting is an easy and effective way to reduce waste at home. You can create your compost using kitchen scraps, yard waste, and paper products. Choose a suitable location for your compost bin in your backyard or garden. Mix green materials like fruit peels and grass clippings with brown materials like wood chips and paper products to speed up decomposition. Turn the pile regularly to aerate it, maintain moisture levels, and control odors. By practicing home composting, you can contribute to reducing personal food waste while creating nutrient-rich soil for your plants.

Community composting

Many cities and towns across the United States offer community composting options. These programs typically involve designated drop-off locations where residents can bring their food scraps and yard waste for centralized composting. Some communities even provide curbside collection services for organic materials, making it convenient for residents to participate in composting initiatives. Community composting reduces the amount of organic waste in landfills and creates nutrient-rich soil amendments that can be used in local gardens and landscaping projects, benefiting both the environment and the community.

Explore Local Government Websites: Visit your city or town’s official website for details about community composting programs, including drop-off locations, schedules, and guidelines. 

Engage with Community Gardens and Environmental Organizations: Connect with local community gardens, environmental groups, or sustainability organizations for insights into composting initiatives and directions to nearby drop-off points.

Attend Local Events and Workshops: Participate in workshops, seminars, or events centered around composting to gain valuable knowledge and connect with individuals who share your interest in sustainable practices.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting, also known as worm composting, involves using specific types of worms to break down organic waste material into nutrient-rich compost. Worms like red wigglers or red earthworms consume kitchen scraps and other organic materials, creating a natural fertilizer perfect for enhancing soil health and plant growth. This method is ideal for those living in urban areas or with limited outdoor space since it can be done indoors using specialized bins. Vermicomposting not only helps reduce the waste sent to landfills but also creates a sustainable way to manage food scraps and produce high-quality compost for gardening and landscaping purposes.

How to Compost

To compost, choose a suitable location and bin. Mix the right ingredients and maintain the proper temperature and moisture levels.

Choosing a location and compost bin

Choose a spot that is easily accessible and receives ample sunlight for your compost bin.

• Consider the size of your space and the amount of waste you generate.
• Opt for a durable, well-ventilated compost bin that suits your area.
• Place the bin on bare soil to allow beneficial organisms to access the compost pile.
• Ensure the site is convenient for adding materials and turning the pile when necessary.

Consider these factors to select an appropriate location and compost bin setup conducive to effective composting practices. 

Compost Ingredients

When it comes to composting, the success of your pile depends significantly on what you put into it. The right mix of ingredients is crucial for creating nutrient-rich compost that benefits your garden and the environment. Here are the essential elements to include in your compost pile:

• Green materials: These include kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, tea bags, and grass clippings.
• Brown materials: To balance the nitrogen-rich green materials, add leaves, straw, shredded cardboard or newspaper, and woody pruning.
• Water: Keep your compost moist – but not waterlogged – to aid in decomposition.
• Air: Turning or aerating the compost helps maintain aerobic conditions and speeds up decomposition.
• Microorganisms: Introducing microorganisms through finished compost or soil can jumpstart the decomposition of organic matter.
• High temperatures: A well-balanced mix of ingredients generates heat, expediting decomposition and killing weed seeds and pathogens.
• Particle size: Chopping or shredding larger pieces of material helps speed up decomposition due to increased surface area.
• Compostable materials: Choose items that break down quickly, such as uncoated paper products, natural fibers like cotton or wool, and plant-based plastics labeled as biodegradable or compostable.

Temperature and aeration

Maintaining the appropriate temperature and ensuring proper aeration are fundamental for successful composting. Optimal temperatures, ranging from 110°F to 160°F (43°C to 71°C), facilitate efficient breakdown of materials. Regularly turning or mixing the compost heap promotes aeration by facilitating oxygen access to microorganisms, thereby aiding decomposition. It’s crucial to avoid compacting the compost pile, as this impedes airflow and disrupts temperature regulation. Balancing the mix of “green” nitrogen-rich and “brown” carbon-rich materials supports balanced decomposition and aids in maintaining suitable temperatures. Monitoring moisture levels within the compost sustains microbial activity, contributing to proper temperature regulation and effective organic matter breakdown. Failure to maintain appropriate temperature levels can lead to slowed decomposition, foul odors, and the proliferation of undesirable organisms. By maintaining optimal temperature and aeration levels, successful composting can be achieved, promoting healthier soil and reducing environmental impact.

Maintaining moisture

Proper moisture is the secret sauce for healthy, productive compost. Here’s how to keep your compost pile happily hydrated:

• Test the Texture: Grab a handful of compost and give it a squeeze. Aim for a damp sponge feel—not dripping wet or desert dry.
• Add Water Wisely: If it’s too dry, lightly sprinkle water over the pile, ensuring even coverage to avoid soggy spots.
• Mix It Up: Stir the pile thoroughly to evenly distribute moisture and eliminate dry areas.
• Cover Smartly: Use a tarp or lid to shield your compost from heavy rain or drying winds, but make sure airflow isn’t blocked.

With these simple steps, you’ll create the perfect environment for decomposition magic, turning your scraps into garden-ready, nutrient-rich gold.

What to compost and what to avoid

Composting is an excellent way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants. Regarding what to compost, focus on including fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, tea bags, grass clippings, and yard waste. This will provide a good balance of nitrogen and carbon for composting. Now let’s delve into what to avoid adding to your compost pile:

• Meat and dairy products can attract pests and create unpleasant odors.
• Oily or greasy foods can slow the composting process and cause issues with airflow.
• Pet waste – This can contain pathogens that are harmful to humans.
• Diseased plants – Diseases could spread to new plants using the compost.

Remember that a well-maintained compost pile should not smell bad. If it does, adjust the ratio of green (nitrogen-rich) materials to brown (carbon-rich) materials and turn the pile more frequently. After all, proper management is essential for successful composting.

Using and Disposing of Compost

Using Compost​

Soil Enrichment: Compost is a natural fertilizer that enriches soil fertility when integrated into garden beds or planters. It supplies essential nutrients to plants, fostering robust and healthy growth. 

Healthier Plants: Compost enhances soil structure, aeration, and water retention, empowering plants to develop stronger root systems and resilience against environmental stressors. 

Drought Resistance: Compost-enriched soil exhibits improved moisture retention, diminishing the need for frequent watering. During dry periods, plants nurtured in nutrient-rich soil demonstrate heightened resilience to drought conditions.

Disposing of Compost​

Community Composting Options: Explore local community composting programs, which often provide drop-off locations or curbside collection services for organic waste. Your participation supports communal composting endeavors and diminishes landfill waste. 

Biodegradable and Compostable Products: Prioritize products labeled as biodegradable or compostable when disposing of compostable materials. These items naturally decompose, facilitating sustainable waste management practices.

Avoid Contaminants: Maintain the purity of your compost pile or bin by excluding plastics, metals, or non-biodegradable materials. Emphasize the inclusion of solely organic matter to ensure optimal composting results. Layering Technique: Employ the layering technique when incorporating compost into your garden. Alternate layers of compost with layers of soil to create a harmonious blend, fostering nutrient-rich soil for thriving plant growth.

Using compost for healthier plants

Compost is a fantastic natural fertilizer that improves soil health and boosts plant growth. When using compost for healthier plants, it enriches the soil with essential nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients help plants to grow strong roots and resist diseases. Moreover, compost enhances soil structure and water retention, reducing the need for synthetic fertilizers and promoting sustainable gardening practices. Applying compost to your garden or potted plants provides a slow-release source of vital nutrients. This helps improve overall plant vitality without risking chemical burns or nutrient imbalances commonly associated with synthetic fertilizers.

Proper safety precautions

Prioritize safety when composting: wear gloves, wash hands thoroughly afterward, place the compost pile in a shaded area on a stable surface, and cover it with a lid or wire mesh to prevent pests. Regularly turn the compost to promote aeration and decomposition, and avoid adding items like meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste. Choose biodegradable products for a safer, environmentally friendly composting process.

Biodegradable Products Institute

When choosing biodegradable and compostable products, look for certified items that break down naturally. Options like compostable food containers, utensils, and bags made from cornstarch or sugarcane fiber are good choices. It’s essential to ensure that these products meet the standards of organizations such as the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or carry the “compostable” logo. Opting for biodegradable and compostable products reduces landfill waste while supporting a more sustainable environment. These conscious choices help minimize our impact on the planet and are essential to promoting a circular economy. The certification of compostable products by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) is integral to understanding environmentally friendly options. Here’s a breakdown of key points:

BPI Certification

Recognized as North America’s foremost authority on compostable products and packaging, BPI issues the Certification Mark, the premier symbol of composability throughout the supply chain. BPI rigorously verifies that products adhere to ASTM standards for compostable items in the North American market, making BPI certification the starting point for companies seeking composability claims for their products and packaging.

What BPI-Certified Means

Products adorned with the BPI Compostable Logo have undergone scientific testing and have been proven to biodegrade entirely in managed compost facilities. They compost quickly and safely under controlled conditions, ensuring minimal environmental impact. The BPI Compostable Logo is widely recognized as a symbol of compostable plastic products in North America, giving consumers confidence in their environmental choices. 

• Scientific Testing and Verification: When a product bears the BPI Compostable Logo, rigorous scientific testing has been conducted to ensure its composability. These tests evaluate the product’s capacity to completely biodegrade within managed compost facilities, certifying that it meets specific standards.
• Biodegradation in Managed Compost Facilities: BPI-certified products undergo complete breakdown within controlled composting environments. These facilities replicate natural composting processes, facilitating efficient decomposition without leaving harmful residues. Instead, they contribute to the production of nutrient-rich compost.
• Quick and Safe Composting: The certification guarantees that BPI-certified products compost swiftly and safely, breaking into organic matter that enriches the soil and fosters plant growth. Importantly, this process occurs without releasing harmful substances, ensuring environmental safety.
• Minimal Environmental Impact: Consumers use sustainable waste management practices by opting for BPI-certified products. These products alleviate the strain on landfills and reduce methane emissions, aligning with responsible consumer choices and promoting minimal environmental impact.

Advocacy and Impact

BPI’s efforts extend beyond mere certification, encompassing advocacy for broader acceptance by composters and increased diversion rates from landfills. Consumers actively contribute to waste reduction and adopt sustainable practices by opting for BPI-certified products. Remember, when you spot the BPI Compostable Logo, rest assured that the product has undergone independent testing and is guaranteed to decompose fully in a commercial compost facility after use.

Conclusion

Composting is more than just a way to deal with food scraps—it’s a small, powerful step toward a healthier planet. It boosts soil fertility, cuts down on landfill waste, and helps reduce methane emissions, all while supporting vibrant ecosystems and communities. By turning what might’ve been trash into something valuable, composting gives us all a chance to make a real impact.

FAQs

What is compost combustion, and why is it a concern? Compost combustion occurs when the organic materials in a compost pile reach high temperatures due to microbial activity, resulting in spontaneous combustion. This poses a significant risk due to the potential for fires, property damage, and even personal injury. Several factors can contribute to the risk of compost combustion, including:

1. Moisture content: Excessive moisture in the compost pile can create conditions conducive to microbial activity and heat generation.
2. Oxygen availability: Adequate oxygen levels are necessary for the decomposition process, but restricted airflow can also increase the likelihood of combustion.
3. Size and density: Large, dense compost piles can retain heat and moisture, increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion.
4. Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio: An imbalance in the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio can lead to excessive heat generation during decomposition.

How do I manage odor and pests when composting indoors? To control odors, ensure your compost bin has a tight-fitting lid and add a layer of bedding material like shredded newspaper or dry leaves to absorb excess moisture and odor. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods that can attract pests. Regularly aerate the compost and monitor moisture levels to prevent unpleasant odors and discourage pests.

What factors influence the speed of composting? Several factors can impact the speed of composting, including:

• Material size: Smaller pieces of organic matter decompose more quickly than larger ones.
• Carbon-to-nitrogen ratio: A balanced carbon-rich (e.g., dry leaves, paper) to nitrogen-rich (e.g., kitchen scraps, grass clippings) materials promote faster decomposition.
• Moisture levels: Maintaining adequate moisture (usually resembling a damp sponge) facilitates microbial activity and accelerates composting.
• Aeration: Turning or mixing the compost pile regularly ensures oxygen is available to microorganisms, speeding up decomposition.
• Temperature: Optimal temperatures ranging from 110°F to 160°F (43°C to 71°C) foster microbial activity and hasten decomposition.