I Did Not Know That Was Compostable!by Rosa Domingos | 01-08-2018 15:05 |
|---|
 Whether you are managing your own compost bin, or you live in a town or city that composts for you, composting is one of the most efficient ways to help keep millions of tons of biodegradable trash out of the landfill. I bet you are familiar with a lot of compostable items, such as veggie trimmings, coffee and tea grounds, and garden and plant clippings, but these items are just the start of what can go in your bin. Hair it is! There are many items in the bathroom that can be rerouted to the compost pile. Hair from your hairbrush or fur from your pet are full of useful nitrogen and can be thrown in the compost pile. Nail trimmings can be composted too as long as they have not polish on them. Cotton is also fodder for the bin, so cotton balls, cotton swabs (as long as the handle is made of cardboard), lint from the dryer and even old shredded cotton and wool clothing need never see the trash pile (Lipka, 2010). Lint and other unwelcome guests Even the waste from your cleaning adventures can go in the pile. When you are done vacuuming, empty your bag into the bin, and when you sweep out the fireplace, add the ashes as well. Trimmings from your indoor plants can go along with any used soil, and you can even compost the crumbs you sweep off the floor (Lipka, 2010). Bread and Crackers There are many potential contributors to the compost in the kitchen. Stale starches such as bread, crackers, pretzels and even cooked pasta and cooked rice can all be composted. These drier items will help offset the wetter kitchen waste such as veggie trimmings (Lipka, 2010). Compostable Condiments Herbs, spices, jams and preserves all have a limited shelf life, and once they are too old to use, they can be added to the pile as well. Eggscetera – shells and dairy Egg shells are compostable, although they should be rinsed or even heated for ten minutes in the oven in order to kill bacteria. Leftover dairy products like melted ice cream and moldy cheese can also be composted. Party in the bin One of the most difficult decisions to make during the holidays is what to do with the waste generated after a big celebration. With a bit of planning, it is easy to ensure that most of your party favors are compost bin-friendly. Both Christmas trees and jack-o-lanterns are compostable, as are wreaths made from natural materials like tree trimmings and flowers (Lipka, 2010). Making the mix The most successful compost bins and piles are those that have the right mix of materials needed for the composting process to take place properly.Ask your municipality is they do offer compost pick-up, if they do, check with your municipality about availability of this service and which items are considered compostable. If you are going to compost on your own, check out this cheat sheet for composting as well as these tips to help you decide on the right composting system for you (Lipka, 2010). Reference Lipka,. N. 2010. I Didn?t Know That Was Compostable! [Online]. Available: https://earth911.com/home-garden/i-didnt-know-that-was-compostable/. Accessed: 30 July 2018. August 8, 2010. Feature image courtesy of Nate Lipka. |
