Home Composting

Home composting can be an easy way for your household to make a direct positive impact on the environment. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food residuals and yard trimmings account for 24% of the municipal solid waste stream in the United States. The EPA estimates that 56.9 percent of yard trimmings were recovered for composting or grasscycled in 2000, a significant increase from the 12 percent recovery rate in 1990.

What is Compost?

Composting, nature's own way of recycling, is the controlled decomposition of organic material such as leaves, twigs, grass clippings, and vegetable food waste. Compost is the soil amendment product that results from proper composting.

Natural composting, or biological decomposition, began with the first plants on earth and has been going on ever since. As vegetation falls to the ground, it slowly decays, providing minerals and nutrients needed for plants, animals, and microorganisms. Mature compost, however, includes the production of high temperatures to destroy pathogens and weed seeds that natural decomposition does not destroy.

Where to Compost?

Composting can be practiced in most backyards in a homemade or manufactured composting bin or simply an open pile (some cities do require enclosed bins). Businesses, schools, and other facilities can also easily compost. Contact your city or county government for information about free composting workshops and discounted or free composting bins.

Homemade bins can be constructed out of scrap wood, chicken wire, snow fencing or even old garbage cans (with holes punched in the sides and bottom).

Manufactured bins include turning units, hoops, cones, and stacking bins. These can be purchased from retail or mail-order businesses. Take the time to consider your options and then select a bin that best fits your needs.

What to Compost:

Eggshells
Coffee grounds and filters
Fruits and vegetables
Cardboard rolls
Grass clippings
Tea bags
Cotton rags
Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint
Houseplants
Leaves
Hair and fur
Hay and straw
Nut shells
Sawdust
Wood chips
Wool rags
Yard trimmings

What Not to Compost:

Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
Why? Releases substances that might be harmful to plants

Coal or charcoal ash
Why? Might contain substances harmful to plants

Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)
Why? Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Diseased or insect-ridden plants
Why? Diseases or insects might survive and be transferred back to other plants

Fats, grease, lard, or oils
Why?Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Meat or fish bones and scraps
Why? Create odor problems and attract pests such as rodents and flies

Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)
Why? Might contain parasites, bacteria, germs, pathogens, and viruses harmful to humans

Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
Why? Might kill beneficial composting organisms

Using Compost

It can take anywhere from 14 days to 12 months to produce your finished compost. The time it takes can vary widely depending on the materials and methods used. The point at which the compost is ready varies based on how the compost will be used. In general, though, compost is ready when dark and crumbly and mostly broken down with a pleasant, earthy, soil-like smell to it. For most uses it is acceptable to have some recognizable pieces of leaves or straw remaining.

Finished compost can be applied to lawns and gardens to help condition the soil and replenish nutrients. Compost, however, should not be used as potting soil for houseplants because of the presence of weed and grass seeds.

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