Tip 10: Compost yard trimmings and some food scraps
ackyard
composting of certain food scraps and yard trimmings can significantly reduce
the amount of waste that needs to be managed by the local government or
put in a landfill. When properly composted, these wastes can be turned into
natural soil additives for use on lawns and gardens, and used as potting
soil for house plants. Finished compost can improve soil texture, increase
the ability of the soil to absorb air and water, suppress weed growth, decrease
erosion, and reduce the need to apply commercial soil additives.
Learn
how to compost food scraps and yard trimmings (see Composting
Is Easy!). For more information, consult reference materials on composting,
or check with local environmental, agricultural, or park services. Composing
foods in highly populated areas is not recommended because it can attract
rodents and other pests.
Participate
in local or regional programs that collect compostable materials. If no
program is in place, contact public officials and community leaders about
setting one up.
If
there's no room for a compost pile, offer compostable materials to community
composting programs or garden projects near you.
If
you have a yard, allow mown grass clippings to remain on the lawn to decompose
and return nutrients back to the soil, rather than bagging and disposing
of them.
