Composting+101

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Benefits of composting

 * It is ** moist ** so it keeps the plants and soil hydrated
 * It is ** rich with nutrients **, so fewer fertilizers are used
 * It ** keeps plants strong, and resistant to pests **
 * It can help ** rebuild harmed wetlands and forests **
 * It helps ** more plants grow in one area **
 * It ** stops erosion **

= Disadvantages of landfills and burning garbage =
 * ** Resources, like food waste, paper, and aluminum, can’t be reused **
 * ** Toxic liquids ** created from landfills can seep through the lining of the landfill and ** get into water and soil **
 * ** Ash and smoke from burning trash pollutes the air **

What is Leachate? Leachate it ** toxic liquid produced from landfills **. It can get into water and soil. The harmfulness of the leachate depends on what is in the landfill. The liquid from decomposing trash seeps down to the bottom of the landfill. While is it is traveling down, it goes though harmful substances and becomes toxic. What is erosion? Erosion is ** when soil or rock is moved by wind, water, and/or gravity to another place **. Compost helps prevent erosion

** 30% ** of every an everyday trash bag contains food waste that could be composted In the United States we only compos t ** 6% ** of wasted compostable materials

= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =What is Composting?=

Composting - > rants is taken to a state-permitted facility where it is mixed with green waste to produce nutrient-rich compost. The complete composting process takes approximately three months. This nutritious soil conditioner is mixed with existing soil, where it replenishes the earth and stimulates healthy plant growth, which in turn produces healthier crops. = = =Composting Steps=
 * Composting is a natural process where organic matter breaks down. Organic matter collected from participating restau-

> Green grass clippings with brown fallen leaves mixed in a compost bin. Fill your bin with a balanced mixture for best results**:** >> An optional addition. '//Other items that can be composted// but you may not have thought of before: paper towels; paper bags; cotton clothing (torn up); egg shells; hair (human, dog, cat etc.) Use all these items in moderation. > > Not a good diet for your compost pile. Never compost the following items **for reasons of health, hygiene and inability to break down:** meat and meat scraps; bones; fish and fish bones; plastic or synthetic fibers; oil or fat; pet or human feces (except for manure of herbivorous creatures such as rabbits and horses); weeds that have gone to seed; diseased plants; disposable diapers (nappies); glossy paper or magazines; coal and coke ash; and cat litter. Place these items in the normal garbage collection.
 * 1) [[image:http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/fc/Turn_compost_1.jpg/180px-Turn_compost_1.jpg width="180" height="135" caption="This commercial bin stacks for easy turning." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Turn_compost_1.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Turn_compost_1.jpg"]] This commercial bin stacks for easy turning. Choose or construct a [|bin] for your compost**.** While you can compost successfully in a pile on the ground, a bin will keep the process a bit [|neater] and help to discourage animals if you are composting food scraps. Depending on the construction of the bin, it can also help to regulate moisture and temperature. A good minimum size for a pile is at least 1 cubic yard or 1 cubic meter, though a pile can go larger than this, and smaller-scale composting can be made to work.
 * 2) [[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/a/ac/Compost_mixture_green_brown.jpg/180px-Compost_mixture_green_brown.jpg width="180" height="135" caption="Green grass clippings with brown fallen leaves mixed in a compost bin." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Compost_mixture_green_brown.jpg"]]
 * [[image:http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/6/6f/Tea-for-two-1457.jpg/180px-Tea-for-two-1457.jpg width="180" height="240" caption="One possible addition for your green stuff." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Tea-for-two-1457.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Tea-for-two-1457.jpg"]] One possible addition for your green stuff. //Green stuff// (high in nitrogen) to activate the **heat** process in your compost. Perfect heat-generating materials include: young weeds (before they develop seeds); comfrey leaves; yarrow; chicken, rabbit or pigeon manure; grass cuttings; etc. Other green items that compost well include fruit and vegetables; fruit and vegetable scraps; coffee grounds and tea leaves (including tea bags - remove the staple if you wish); vegetable plant remains; plants.
 * [[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/9/9b/Compst_3.jpg/180px-Compst_3.jpg width="180" height="127" caption="Fallen leaves are excellent brown stuff." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Compst_3.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Compst_3.jpg"]] Fallen leaves are excellent brown stuff. //Brown stuff// (high in carbon) to serve as the "fiber" for your compost. Brown stuff includes fall (autumn) leaves; dead plants and weeds; sawdust; cardboard & cardboard tubes (from foil wraps etc); old flowers (including dried floral displays, minus plastic/foam attachments); old straw and hay; and small animal bedding.
 * [[image:http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/c/cb/Hatched-5804.jpg/180px-Hatched-5804.jpg width="180" height="135" caption="An optional addition." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Hatched-5804.jpg"]]
 * //Air//. It is possible to compost without air (anaerobically), but the process employs different bacteria and an anaerobic compost pile will take on a sour smell like vinegar. It may also attract flies or take on a matted, slimy appearance. If you believe your compost pile needs more air, turn it, and try adding more dry or brown stuff to open up the structure.
 * //Water//. Your pile should be about as damp as a sponge that has been wrung out. Depending on your climate, you can add water directly or rely on the moisture that comes in with "green" items. A lid on the compost bin will help to keep moisture in. If a pile gets too much water in it, it might not get enough air.
 * //Soil or starter compost//. This is not strictly necessary, but a light sprinkling of garden soil or recently finished compost between layers can help to introduce the correct bacteria to start the compost cycle a little more quickly. If you are pulling weeds, the soil left on the roots may be sufficient to serve this purpose. Compost starters are available, but probably not necessary. [|[1]]
 * 1) Layer or mix the different materials in your bin **so that they come into contact with one another and so that you avoid any large clumps.** Especially avoid compacting large quantities of green materials together, since they can rapidly become anaerobic.
 * If possible, start with a layer of lightweight brown material, such as leaves, to help keep enough air near the bottom.
 * Try for a mixture of anywhere from 3 parts brown to 1 part green to half and half, depending on what materials you have on hand.
 * Sprinkle each layer lightly with water as you build the heap, if it requires additional moisture.
 * 1) [[image:http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/f/fc/Turn_compost_2.jpg/180px-Turn_compost_2.jpg width="180" height="135" caption="The next step in turning." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Turn_compost_2.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Turn_compost_2.jpg"]] The next step in turning. Turn your pile regularly**, once every week or two.** Clear a patch next to the pile. Then use a pitchfork and move the entire pile to the clear spot. When it is time to turn the pile again, move it back to the original spot, or back into the bin. Mixing the pile in this way helps to keep air flowing inside the pile, which encourages aerobic decomposition. Anaerobic decomposition will smell very stinky (generally sour, like vinegar) and they decompose materials more slowly than aerobic bacteria. Turning the pile helps to encourage the growth of the right kind of bacteria and makes for a nice, sweet-smelling pile that will decompose faster.
 * Try to move matter from inside to outside and from top to bottom. Break up anything that is clumpy or matted. Add water or wet, green materials if it seems too dry. Add dry, brown materials if the pile seems too wet. If you are still adding to the pile, take the opportunity while you turn it to introduce the new matter and mix it well with the older matter.
 * 1) [[image:http://pad3.whstatic.com/images/thumb/0/03/Tree-Branch-7026.jpg/180px-Tree-Branch-7026.jpg width="180" height="120" caption="It will decompose, but it will take a long time." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Tree-Branch-7026.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Tree-Branch-7026.jpg"]] It will decompose, but it will take a long time. Decide whether to add //slow rotting// items **such as tough branches, twigs and hedge clippings; wood ash; wood shavings and wood pruning.** They can be composted, but you may want to compost them separately because they will take longer to break down, especially in a cold climate with a shorter composting season. Shred heavy materials, if you can, for faster decomposition.
 * 2) Try to avoid composting **bread, pasta, nuts, and cooked food.** They don't break down very easily, become quite slimy, and can hold up the heating, rotting-down process. (Old nuts left in the garden will disappear quickly if you have squirrels or monkeys around!)
 * 3) [[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/images/thumb/c/cc/Deli-Eats-in-NYC-8773.jpg/180px-Deli-Eats-in-NYC-8773.jpg width="180" height="135" caption="Not a good diet for your compost pile." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Deli-Eats-in-NYC-8773.jpg"]]
 * 1) [[image:http://pad1.whstatic.com/images/thumb/d/dc/Planted-vegetable-bed-830.jpg/180px-Planted-vegetable-bed-830.jpg width="180" height="135" align="right" caption="One use for finished compost." link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Planted-vegetable-bed-830.jpg"]][[image:http://pad2.whstatic.com/skins/common/images/magnify-clip.png width="16" height="16" link="http://www.wikihow.com/Image:Planted-vegetable-bed-830.jpg"]] One use for finished compost. **[|**Harvest your compost**].** If all goes well, you will eventually find that you have a layer of good compost at the bottom of your bin. Remove this and spread it on or [|dig it into your garden beds].
 * You may wish to sift it through a coarse mesh screen or use your hands or pitchfork to remove any larger chunks that haven't yet broken down.
 * Very fresh compost can grow plants, but it can also rob the soil of nitrogen as it continues to break down. If you think you are not all the way done, either leave the compost in the bin for a while longer or spread it in your garden and let it sit there for a few weeks before planting anything in it.



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= = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =What are other ways to reduce food waste?=

Source reduction -
 * Modifying your ordering/purchasing - both quantities and timing;
 * Re looking at production and handling practices;
 * Reviewing your menus to see if certain items account for excessive prep waste;
 * Considering secondary uses for excess food - leftover bread becomes croutons, excess rice becomes fried rice, and an extra tray of lasagna is donated to the local shelter or soup kitchen.
 * Portion control - eliminate excessive portion sizes;
 * Tray-less dining - especially beneficial in college, military & institutional cafeterias;
 * Menu modifications - pay attention to entrees and sides that are left on the diner's plate

Feed the Hungry- Non-perishable and unspoiled perishable food can be donated to local food banks, soup kitchens, pantries, and shelters. Local and national programs frequently offer free pick-up and provide reusable containers to donors. To encourage food donations, the [|"Good Samaritan" law] was created to prevent to prevent good food from going to waste and to protect companies from liability surrounding their donations.
 * Even though we may not realize it, there are people we interact with every day who are not sure where they will find their next meal. They might be a co-worker at your office, one of your child's best friends, or an employee at your grocery store. Each year, more than 36 million Americans, in communities across the country, are making difficult choices-seniors who are forced to choose between buying food or buying medicine; parents who might feed their children but not themselves; and working families who must make the difficult decision between paying their utilities or putting food on the table.

Feed Animals- There are also companies that convert food discards into commercial animal feed and pet food. Feeding waste food to livestock or having the food processed into animal feed is a viable option for recycling food scraps and provides economic and environmental benefits for all involved.
 * Appropriate excess food may also be provided to zoos for use as feed for select animals, based upon the determination of each zoo's animal feeding experts. If surplus food provided to animals contains no meat or animal materials, federal laws or regulations do not apply, although there may be state laws that regulate such feeding. However, in cases were food contains meat or animal materials, or food that has come into contact with meat or animal products, converting food into feed for hogs is regulated by the [|Federal Swine Health Protection Act] (PL 96 468). This Act requires that all such food must be boiled before being fed to hogs and that facilities conducting the boiling be registered with either the USDA or the chief agricultural or animal health official in the state in which the facility is located.

Sources:
 * http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/materials/organics/food/fd-basic.htm
 * http://www.wikihow.com/Compost