What Are the Benefits of Composting

Knowing what are the benefits of composting can help encourage you to take this simple environmental step. For the homeowner, reducing trash volume while gaining a rich soil supplement are some of the powerful advantages of a compost pile. However, the overall effect of this earth friendly idea on the community is also an important part of motivation to begin composting.

What Are the Benefits of Composting to the Community

Composting yields many benefits for the homeowner, but the local community is also helped by this smart technique.

Reduced Landfill Waste

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, almost one quarter of landfill waste could be composted. Regular composting programs can preserve existing landfills and reduce the need to create more spaces to hold waste. Areas that adopt composting programs are often able to reduce the fees charged to their customers due to diminished trash volume. Once a landfill can no longer be used, compost along with other materials is used to cover the landfill. This often allows the land to be used for a reclamation project.

Improves Air Quality

Homeowners that burn twigs, branches, and brush may think that they are helping the environment. However, burning waste just releases harmful dioxins into the air. Burning trash can cause asthma symptoms and even heart problems along with rashes, nausea, and headaches.

Improves Soil Quality

Compost is an excellent way to enhance soil quality. Farmers can use compost as a way to boost crop production, and landscapers often use compost in projects that create parks, golf courses and athletic fields.

Starting a Compost Pile

Building a composting pile is an easy way to produce a supplement for the soil that can then be used for landscaping. A well built compost pile should not smell and will produce usable compost in twelve to sixteen weeks.

Creating the Right Mixture

In order to create compost, there are three types of materials that must be used:

1. Carbon producing material: This category includes branches, twigs, and dead leaves. It is also called the brown category.
2. Nitrogen producing material: Also called the green category, this includes organic table scraps and grass clippings.
3. Water: Water helps aid in the decomposition of these materials.

Ideally, the carbon and nitrogen producing materials will be added in a one to one ratio. Then water can be added to keep the pile moist.

Using the Three Barrel Method

While there are many ways of creating compost, one of the easiest methods is to use the three barrel method. This method uses three distinct piles to manage compost in differing states of decay.

To use this method, you must create three distinct areas for compost. Many gardeners will build a box and divide it into three sections, or use three barrels with holes drilled into the sides to allow for air circulation. Each area should be large enough to house two to three months worth of waste that you will use to create compost and located in a shady area.

Using this compost method is easy. Start by filling the first area with green and brown compost materials. Turn over the compost once a week with a pitchfork or shovel. Add water as needed, especially when adding carbon producing materials. When the first section is full of compost, start adding the materials you have been collecting to the second area. Keep turning over both areas of compost. When the second area is full, start filling the third section of compost.

If you have continually turned over the compost in the three sections and watered it regularly, the compost in the first section should be ready for use when the third section is half full with waste. Empty the first container of the fully decomposed compost for use around the yard and cycle through the rest of the containers in a similar fashion, filling the emptied containers with the new waste.

Final Considerations

Urban dwellers may feel that even though they know what are the benefits of composting, they lack the means to do it. However, there are many products and services available to help people start composting. A homeowner that knows how to build a compost tumbler can easily use one in even the smallest yard or garden. Many cities also have programs that support composting and will provide barrels to pick up green and brown category waste.

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