International Compost Awareness Week – May 1st to 7th
May Environmental Celebration
Environmental Forum
The first full week of May is International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW).
Why is composting important?
• One third of our garbage is food and yard waste; composting saves landfill space.
• In the landfill, organic waste decomposes releasing methane gas, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Composting reduces methane emission in a landfill.
• Compost improves water retention of the soil, which helps reduce the risk of erosion and runoff; it also provides more moisture for the plants.
• Compost enriches the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. Healthier plants are more resistant to stresses like diseases and pests, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
How to compost?
• Yard waste alone can be left in a bin or a pile to decompose by itself.
• Organic waste that contains food scrap and yard waste can be mixed with some soil and water; it will be decomposed by microbes in 3-4 months.
• Redworms can help with composting; they eat organic wastes and release their nitrogen rich castings. This can be done in a container indoor.
• For more information on what to compost and how to compost at home, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
Susan Leuthauser
The first full week of May is International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW).
Why is composting important?
• One third of our garbage is food and yard waste; composting saves landfill space.
• In the landfill, organic waste decomposes releasing methane gas, which is a more potent greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide. Composting reduces methane emission in a landfill.
• Compost improves water retention of the soil, which helps reduce the risk of erosion and runoff; it also provides more moisture for the plants.
• Compost enriches the soil with essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous. Healthier plants are more resistant to stresses like diseases and pests, reducing the need for fertilizers and pesticides.
How to compost?
• Yard waste alone can be left in a bin or a pile to decompose by itself.
• Organic waste that contains food scrap and yard waste can be mixed with some soil and water; it will be decomposed by microbes in 3-4 months.
• Redworms can help with composting; they eat organic wastes and release their nitrogen rich castings. This can be done in a container indoor.
• For more information on what to compost and how to compost at home, visit https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
Susan Leuthauser
| may_envrionmental_celebration_-_composting.pdf |
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