Home composting
What happens to the waste we produce in our homes is very important from a sustainability perspective. If we already separate plastic, metal and paper, it is not difficult to go one step further and start recycling kitchen waste!
What is composting?
Composting is just like recycling, but with biodegradable waste. By definition, compost is made up of organic matter, mainly decomposing plant parts. These include food scraps, leaves and even animal waste - composting can be used to make a natural soil conditioner. Various micro-organisms break down the organic waste, creating nutrient-rich material that can then be used to grow crops in the garden or in the home.
What are the benefits of home composting?
Composting is a very environmentally friendly solution, it effectively reduces the amount of organic waste going to landfills or incinerators, as it can be reused in our homes and gardens to produce useful, reusable material. Organic waste decomposing in landfills in an oxygen-depleted state releases methane, a highly greenhouse gas, while bacteria in composted organic waste convert organic matter into nutrient-rich humus without harmful effects.
Useful properties of compost:
- Soil improver. Compost improves soil structure, water and heat retention, helping to control pests and prevent plant diseases.
- It functions as a natural fertiliser. This eliminates the need to use environmentally harmful fertilisers.
- A nutrient-rich raw material. Organic matter is transformed by fungi and beneficial bacteria into humus, which is very rich in nutrients and has a wide range of uses in crop production.
- Reduces methane emissions. Organic matter that goes into composters instead of landfills does not decompose, but is transformed by bacteria and fungi, reducing our ecological footprint.
How can we compost at home?
The easiest place to start composting is in a composter in your garden, but fortunately, people in the city can also compost at home.
What is the composting process if you have a garden?
Find a shady, dry place. But have a water source nearby. This is where we will compost.
Add brown and green waste. Put brown, fibrous waste at the bottom of the compost heap: branches and fallen leaves can go here; green waste, such as grass clippings, kitchen scraps, fruit and vegetable residues, can go on top. Larger pieces should be chopped up.
Wet the compost heap. If you are adding dry waste to your compost, it is a good idea to dampen it with some water.
Turn the compost. Once the reaction has started, we need to make sure that there is always a supply of oxygen in the pile, so it's a good idea to turn your compost over a little each time you add new waste.
Cover the compost. It's a good idea to cover your compost heap with plastic sheeting, which protects it from the elements but keeps moisture in.
The bottom of the compost will soon be dark and nutrient-rich, with a "completion time" of between 2 months and 2 years, depending on the type of waste.
If you don't have a garden, you can do it at home, as there are pots specifically designed for this purpose. You can find them in garden centres and hobby shops, but you can also easily order one online. It's worth starting with a container designed for composting, so you can make sure your waste doesn't stink and you can keep track of the process.
What can be composted?
This list will help if you are not sure about yourself:
- Vegetable and fruit residues
- Cereals such as bread, pasta or various cereals
- Coffee shop
- Tea bags (not all compostable!)
- Herbs and spices
- Nuts
- Eggshell
- Letters from
- Vegetable trimmings
What not to compost?
- Meat
- Vaj
- Dairy products
- Animal fats
By reusing our waste, we can live healthier and more sustainable lives. Let's strive to recycle in all areas of our lives, to reap the benefits of the circular economy! You can also find cleaning products that come from recycling, such as CYCLE, which is made from biomass. CYCLE makes environmentally friendly, completely vegan products from biodegradable waste that is broken down by bacteria into acetic acid, which is then used to make an effective cleaning product. It's a bit like composting.
