Composting
And, what is composting?
A new dance?
A Computer program language?
A way to improve my financial accounts?
No, no, and no! It is the simple act of utilizing our garbage, that’s right, our leftover food, to reduce waste and greenhouse gases.
According to the World Wildlife Fund, “about 6% to 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced if we stop wasting food.” In the United States alone, food waste emits about the same amount of greenhouse gases as 32.6 million cars.
The EPA estimates that over one-third of food is wasted in the United States.. That makes it the most common material in landfills. And, when it sits in landfills, it is unable to break down naturally. Instead it produces methane, a harmful greenhouse gas. So much food sits in landfills that, according to the EPA, globally, food loss and waste represent 8% of all human greenhouse gas emissions.
Composting keeps food OUT of the landfill where it emits methane. Next, it turns wasted resources like food waste into RICH COMPOST that can be used to grow food and regenerate our depleted land. A win-win combination.
WHAT IS THIS MIRACLE THING CALLED COMPOST?
Compost is a soil that is created after organic matter breaks down. It is simply a decomposition process that we can mimic at home through a variety of composting techniques. There are many ways to create compost in your backyard - or even your kitchen. It’s a matter of choosing the right option for you and your families.
HOW DO WE ACCOMPLISH THIS SIMPLE MIRACLE OF TURNING OUR LEFTOVER DINNERS INTO SOMETHING CALLED COMPOST?
There are four essential elements to the composting process:
- Nitrogen – A fancy name for food scraps or ‘greens.’ Green leaves, coffee grounds, egg shells – things that were once living.
- Carbon – The ‘browns’ in our mix. This includes mulch, dried leaves, sawdust, newspaper clippings and brown paper towels and bags.
- Oxygen – Necessary to keep your organisms alive and well.
- Water – Water for life! The right amount is critical to keep your system friendly to bacteria. Not too wet but not too dry. It should be like a wrung-out sponge!
TYPES OF COMPOSTERS
There is a fairly wide variety of composters on the market. You’ll want to choose the system best for you and your family. While you can certainly use the trench composting method if you have the space, you can also use a degester which combines both an in the ground and above the ground method to break down your food scraps.
The Franklin Lakes Environmental Commission is suggesting that residents use a basic type of outdoor composter which can be purchased from the Borough for around $60. It is compact, about three feet tall, and requires little maintenance.
SAVING TAX DOLLARS
Saving tax dollars through composting is a second consideration that partially drives this initiative It has been estimated by one of our Commissioners who consults with the Borough on waste removal and recycling collection that we have the potential to save a little over $80,000 dollars a year through composting. That figure is based upon an active resident interest in reducing food waste from our disposal costs. Although not a fortune, it is a worthwhile supplement to the argument that composting should be added to our “to do” list just as we’ve all learned to haul our recyclables to the curb, take our own bags to the grocery stores and turn out the lights.
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