Understanding Composting: A Step by Step Guide to Sustainable Waste Management at Home
Chicago's recent launch of its Food-Scrap Drop-Off Program has sparked a surge of interest in both home composting as well as this new service. Composting isn't just about reducing waste; it's about nurturing the soil, the foundation of life itself. With an estimated 30-40% of the food we buy in the U.S. ultimately ending up in landfills [1], composting can play a crucial role in managing food waste that cannot be prevented. Of course, a key part of reducing food waste in the first place is to only buy what you need and prioritize using or donating any surplus food while it's still good.
What is composting?
Composting is the natural process of transforming organic matter, like coffee grounds and food scraps, into a nutrient-rich fertilizer that boosts soil health. This eco-friendly technique expedites the natural decomposition process by creating an optimal environment for bacteria, fungi, and various decomposing organisms to flourish. The end result is a nutrient-rich compost, often likened to "black gold," which is ideal for gardening, horticulture, and agriculture.
Benefits of Composting
Composting at home offers a myriad of benefits that extend beyond the simple act of waste reduction. One of the primary advantages is the significant decrease in kitchen and yard waste sent to landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), food scraps and yard trimmings make up a staggering 21.6% of municipal solid waste in the United States. As organic matter decomposes in landfills without access to oxygen, it releases methane, a potent greenhouse gas with 25 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Composting, on the other hand, creates nutrient-rich humus that enhances soil structure, water retention, and overall fertility.
This nutrient-dense black gold serves as a natural, cost-effective soil additive, promoting healthier plant growth and increased crop yields. Moreover, by fostering a diverse population of beneficial microbes in the soil, compost reduces reliance on chemical fertilizers. These microbes play a crucial role in breaking down nutrients and making them readily available for plants, ultimately leading to a more robust and flourishing garden.
Composting also minimizes the environmental impact associated with transporting waste long distances. By diverting organic waste from landfills and creating compost locally, we reduce reliance on commercial fertilizers that often require significant transportation and production processes.
Embracing composting as a sustainable practice empowers individuals to actively participate in waste reduction while simultaneously fostering a deeper connection to the environment and a more ecologically conscious lifestyle. For our fellow Chicagoans, Chicago's food-scrap drop-off program and services like Collective Resource, Waste Not, and Block Bins provide viable alternatives for those who can't compost at home.
Scaling Up Food Waste Solutions
While backyard composting offers a fantastic way for individuals to reduce waste, Bubbly Dynamics is exploring innovative solutions for tackling food waste on a larger scale.
At The Plant, we're developing an anaerobic digester – a system that processes organic waste in the absence of oxygen. This project has the potential to significantly reduce the amount of food waste going to landfills in Chicago and transform it into valuable resources, such as biogas, nutrient-rich soil additives, and liquid fertilizer.
While the digester is still under development, this project reflects our ongoing commitment to exploring sustainable waste management practices. For those interested in learning more about this project, you can find a comprehensive case study here.
Composting on a City-Wide Scale: Lessons from North America
Moving beyond individual efforts, several North American cities are making significant strides in integrating composting into their municipal services. In Illinois, the City of Evanston and Village of Oak Park are leading the way by partnering with a compost hauler to divert food scraps from landfills. Cities like Seattle and Portland have established successful curbside composting programs accepting a wide range of organic waste, significantly reducing the amount of food waste sent to landfills.
Furthermore, some municipalities are innovating with public-private partnerships to enhance their composting capabilities. San Francisco and Toronto, for example, have implemented comprehensive composting programs that support residential collections while encouraging commercial establishments to compost food waste, setting a high standard for urban waste management practices. Learn more about Toronto's Green Bin program here.
Finally, despite a temporary pause due to COVID-19, New York City has recently resumed certain composting activities.This reflects a growing trend among North American cities to re-evaluate and reinvest in composting as a critical component of sustainable waste management.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Composting
Composting doesn't require a vast urban infrastructure project to be impactful. The beauty of composting lies in its accessibility – anyone can participate in this simple yet powerful practice. The following step-by-step guide outlines various composting methods suitable for different spaces and preferences, along with details on Chicago's food scrap drop-off program.
Step 1: Choose Your Composting Method
Before diving in, decide on the composting method that best suits your space, lifestyle, and preferences. Some options include:
Backyard Composting: Cold or hot composting in an enclosed bin or open pile
Tumbler Composting: A sealed container on an axle for easy turning
Vermicomposting: Works best indoors and uses worms to compost kitchen scraps in a small bin (we'll discuss this method in more detail during a separate blog post).
Chicago's food-scrap drop-off program: If you live in Chicago, try out this new program! Simply choose a container with a lid, place your food scraps directly into the container, and bring to one of Chicago's 15 composting bins (be sure to check the list of accepted items before going).
If you live in Chicago but can't compost at home, try one of Chicago's composting services listed above. You can still repurpose your food scraps and divert unnecessary food waste from landfills!
Step 2: Gather Your Materials
For a successful backyard composting project, collect the following materials:
"Greens": Fresh kitchen scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings
"Browns": Dry materials such as dead leaves, twigs, shredded paper, and cardboard
Aeration Materials: Sticks or pipes to encourage air circulation
Step 3: Find the Right Location
Identify a suitable spot for your composting setup. This step is crucial for backyard composting projects.
Dry and Shady: Ideal to prevent the compost from drying out or becoming too soggy
Avoid Poor Drainage: If you live in a rainy climate, ensure your compost area has good drainage
Step 4: Set Up Your Compost Bin or Pile
When setting up your backyard composting pile or tumbler composting bin, place your compost materials in layers, starting with browns and alternating with greens. For efficient decomposition, make sure that each layer in the composting pile is no thicker than a finger.
Step 5: Achieve the Right Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio
Maintain a balanced mix of carbon-rich browns and nitrogen-rich greens. Aim for a ratio of 2 to 4 parts brown materials for every 1 part green material.
Step 6: Add Air and Water
Decomposers need oxygen and moisture. Ensure optimal air circulation by turning the pile regularly. Keep the compost as moist as a wrung-out sponge.
Step 7: Monitor Temperature
For hot composting, aim for a peak temperature of 130-140°F. This helps break down materials efficiently and eliminates pathogens.
Step 8: Maintain Moisture and Size
Check the moisture levels regularly. If the pile is too dry, add water; if too wet, add carbon-heavy browns. Keep your compost pile to an ideal size of a 3-foot cube.
Step 9: Troubleshoot and Adjust
Keep an eye on your compost! If issues arise, troubleshoot by adjusting the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, aeration, or moisture levels accordingly.
Step 10: Harvest Your "Black Gold"
Once your compost is dark, crumbly, and earthy-smelling, it's ready for use! This may take weeks to months, depending on your composting method.
The Power of a Seed
As Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawatomi botanist and writer, reminds us, "Leaving the earth diminished in any way is a betrayal of those who come after us." By transforming our food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, we cultivate a healthier planet for future generations, one seed, one sprout, one thriving garden at a time.
Additional Resources
Environmental Protection Agency. Composting at Home. Retrieved November 2, 2023 from https://www.epa.gov/recycle/composting-home
References
[1] United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). (2022, December 8). Sustainable Management of Food and Food Waste. https://19january2021snapshot.epa.gov/facts-and-figures-about-materials-waste-and-recycling/food-material-specific-data
Cover art courtesy of John Griffith