Over time, these materials turn into a rich form of soil that is absolutely chock-full of vitamins and can help you grow amazing plants in any space. Amazingly, compost can also have the power to ward off harmful pests. Anything that is organic and not animal based is a viable candidate for composting. In order to stay organic, be sure everything you compost is also free of toxic chemicals.
Incorporating vitamin-rich earth from a compost pile into the soil of a garden can make the plants unbelievably healthy and flavorful. Healthy fruits and vegetables translate into healthy food on the dining table. And healthy food intake has been shown to go hand in hand with healthy human beings living a happy life. By composting, you can also help to reduce the amount of waste that is being directed into our landfills. This means a reduction of concentrated, toxic leachates and methane gas that is being released into the atmosphere, which equates to a decrease in overall pollution.
At a landfill, biodegradable materials decompose anaerobically—with little or no oxygen present—and release methane gas into the atmosphere. Methane is one of the more potent greenhouse gasses, so its presence in the atmosphere accelerates the process of global warming. Studies have shown that plants grow more rapidly in soil supplemented with compost, meaning they can pull more carbon dioxide out of the air. According to the EPA, the amount of carbon sequestered in soil and plants after wet compost is applied could significantly reduce greenhouse gasses if applied on a large scale.
So start composting today. The best way to learn is to start doing it. Your soil and your planet will be so happy! Amber Cathey is a PhD student in Environmental Health Sciences studying the effects of phthalates and other environmental exposures on birth outcomes in a Puerto Rican pregnancy cohort. The healthy bacteria and critters that are present in compost also help fight off harmful pests and diseases before they can get to plants — thus reducing the need for toxic pesticides.
In addition, compost is a slow-release nutrient source for plants. The diverse materials in compost break down at different rates, slowly releasing nutrients over a long period of time; as opposed to releasing them all at once, as fertilizers do. Compost also contains a greater variety of nutrients than fertilizers, because it is made with so many different types of materials.
Because compost both adds nutrients to soil and alters soil structure so that it retains nutrients more effectively, compost reduces the need for fertilizers. Food scraps are a valuable resource! Just like the parts that you eat, the parts of food you toss contain important vitamins and minerals that, when returned to soil, get recycled back into the ecosystem and taken up by the next round of crops grown on the land. An important way to combat this is to promote healthy soil — which can be done by composting.
Compost attracts critters and microorganisms that are good for soil and plants. Think of compost like probiotics for the human body — good bacteria are needed to fight off diseases and keep us alive and functioning. Methane is the most potent greenhouse gas 20 times more powerful than CO2 , and landfills are the 3rd largest source of human related methane emissions.
Instead of wasting food, the food is broken down into rich and soft soil that can be used again. This soil is referred to as black gold because it is so nutrient rich. Here at Naples Compost we work with an industrial scale composter that works with farmers. Our food waste enhances local farmland. Compost serves as a natural soil enhancer that makes soil healthy. Healthy soil needs less fertilizer and less pesticides. Synthetic fertilizers run off into our water causing toxic algae blooms and red tide.
Our farmlands needs more compost and less fertilizer. In fact, the stuff we send to a landfill may never breakdown, only decay enough to give off greenhouse gasses. Farmers have been composting for centuries because it is a cost effective way to reuse waste.
Large municipalities across America are starting to see the importance of composting residential food waste and many have already started pilot programs.
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