4 Ways to Start Composting 🌱
before you scrape your plate!
I need you to know something about food waste…
Composting is a simple and effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. According to Project Drawdowndown.org/solutions/reduced-food-wa2 solution to reverse global warming:
Roughly one-third of the world’s food is never eaten. By reducing loss and waste, we can reduce the need for land and resources used to produce food as well as the greenhouse gases released in the process.
Composting is a natural process that turns food scraps and other organic materials into nutrient-rich soil that can be used in your garden or to grow your own food. Not only does composting reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but it also helps to conserve water and reduce the amount of waste we send to landfills.
Food scraps that end up in landfills decompose and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas that is estimated to be 20x worse for the environment than carbon dioxide! Methane is produced when organic materials break down in an anaerobic environment, like a landfill. When we compost, we create an aerobic environment that encourages the growth of beneficial microbes that break down the organic matter into nutrient-rich soil without producing methane.
Composting may seem intimidating at first, but there are many easy and accessible ways to start. Ready to give it a shot?! Here are 4 easy ways to start composting:
Local composting programs - many communities have local composting programs where you can drop off or schedule a pick-up for your food scraps. If you’re in LA, check out LACompost or CompostableLA.
Connect with your community - You can use sites like NextDoor and ShareWaste to see if anyone in your immediate community has a backyard compost pile or worm farm who are available to accept your scraps!
DIY compost bin - if you have the space, you can build your own compost bin with materials like wooden pallets, or even an old trash can. There are many tutorials available online that can guide you through the process, and once you have your own compost bin, you can start turning your food scraps into nutrient-rich soil right in your backyard!
Curbside Compost - And for those who live in Los Angeles, you're in luck! The city now offers a green bin program where you can place your food scraps and food-soiled paper in your green bin, which will be collected weekly on the same day as your regular trash and recycling. This makes it easier than ever to start composting and do your part for the environment. See this from LASAN:
“Effective immediately, residents serviced by LASAN are required to place food scraps and food-soiled paper in their green bin, where it will be collected weekly on the same day. The green waste will be processed to create compost to be used by farmers.”
You can even get a free kitchen compost pail from OrganicsLA!
So next time you're about to scrape your plate into the trash, consider starting your own composting journey. Not only will you be reducing your carbon footprint, but you'll also be producing some amazing soil for your garden or plants. And remember, composting is hot! The decomposition of food releases heat, so your compost pile may even feel warm to the touch.
In conclusion, composting is an easy and effective way to reduce your carbon footprint and help combat climate change. By diverting food scraps from landfills, we can reduce methane emissions and create nutrient-rich soil that can be used to grow our own food. Whether you choose to participate in a local composting program, build your own compost bin, or take advantage of the green bin program in Los Angeles, there are many ways to start composting and do your part for the environment.
So why not start today and make a positive impact on the planet?