Most people understand the importance of recycling, but did you know composting is also a great way to sustainably reduce waste? A lot of the waste you can’t recycle can go in your compost bin, so you can reduce your environmental footprint and enjoy the many benefits of composting.
If you’re not sure how to start composting, now is the perfect time to get started. Starting a compost pile is simple and affordable, and it’s a great way to kickstart your garden. If you’re ready to start composting in Long Beach, here’s everything you need to know.
What Is Composting?
Composting is the process of creating compost, which is made by breaking down organic materials like yard waste and food scraps. As these materials break down, they form a soil-like material called compost that’s rich in nutrients.
You can get started by making a compost bin or compost pile in your yard. You can add to your compost pile whenever you mow your lawn, trim your trees, or cook. It’s also important to keep your compost pile moist to feed the microorganisms that break down the waste.
Benefits of Composting
You’ve probably seen videos or heard people talk about composting, but many people are hesitant to get started. While there are a handful of obstacles when it comes to composting, the benefits outweigh the negatives. Let’s take a closer look at some of the biggest benefits of composting.
Reduce waste
Reducing waste in landfills is one of the best ways to promote a healthier environment. Many people throw their food waste out with the rest of their trash, but you can throw it in your compost pile instead. You can even compost leaves and grass so you don’t have to bag up and dispose of your yard waste. If you find yourself overfilling your curbside garbage bin each week, composting can help you create some space in your bins.
Create compost for gardening
One of the biggest benefits of composting is creating nutrient-rich compost for your garden. As the organic materials in your compost pile break down, they turn into a nutrient-rich material called compost that you can add to your garden. Adding compost to your garden adds nutrients to the soil, helps the soil retain moisture, and reduces the risk of erosion.
Reduce emissions
Most of the waste we add to landfills decomposes over time, which releases methane into the surrounding air. Adding waste to your compost pile instead of landfills is a great way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Compost also helps trap carbon in the soil, reducing emissions even more. Composting can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 50% compared to landfills, so each person composting in Long Beach has a significant impact on the environment.
Conserve water
Compost does an excellent job of retaining moisture that the plants in your garden need to survive. When you mix compost with the soil in your garden, that soil can retain moisture so the roots of your plants can absorb it. That means you don’t need to water your plants as often to keep them healthy and thriving, and your garden will thrive thanks to the added nutrients from the compost.
Minimize food waste
Food waste is one of the biggest problems facing our environment because growing food puts such a strain on the environment. From growing fields of corn and potatoes to raising livestock, all the food we eat requires a lot of water and energy to produce. The more food we waste, the more strain it puts on food production industries. Composting is a great way to make use of food you’re not going to eat. Even better, you can use that compost to enrich your garden and grow your own food.
How to Start Composting
If you’re ready to start composting in Long Beach, there are a few things to consider. You need to learn what’s compostable, start a compost pile or bin, and learn how to compost properly.
You can start by deciding whether you want a compost pile or a compost bin. You can build your own compost bin out of old pallets or wood scraps, but compost bins are also affordable. Alternatively, you can add food scraps and yard waste to a compost pile with no bin.
Once you have your compost bin or pile started, here are some things you can add to it:
- Food scraps
- Coffee grounds
- Tea bags
- Crushed egg shells
- Leaves
- Grass clippings
- Tree trimmings
- Old flowers
Composting Tips
Now that you know how to start composting, let’s take a look at some tips that can help you improve your composting setup.
Choose the right bin
If pests are attracted to the food scraps in your compost pile, pest-proof compost bins are an excellent solution. These bins are designed to keep rodents and other pests out of your compost bin, giving food scraps plenty of time to turn into compost.
Two parts brown, one part green
When you’re adding to your compost pile, you want to keep a ratio of two parts brown to one part green. Brown materials include dry leaves, paper and cardboard, and branches and twigs. Green materials include things like grass clippings, fruit and vegetable scraps, fresh yard waste, and food scraps.
Cut compostables into small pieces
Large chunks of compostables take longer to break down, so break everything down before adding it to your compost bin. Branches and twigs should be broken up, egg shells should be crushed, and cardboard and paper should be cut into small pieces.
Add water
Adding to your compost pile every day or two isn’t enough — you also need to water your compost. When you’re composting in Long Beach, it’s even more important to make sure you’re maintaining the ideal 40 – 60% moisture content for composting.
Start Your Composting Journey
Composting is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental footprint and enrich the soil in your garden. There’s a learning curve, but you can start composting without spending a fortune or taking any classes.
For everything that’s not compostable, Corridor Recycling is here to help. We accept CRV containers, electronics, scrap metal, and more. You can even get paid for your recycling. When you have recyclables you want to dispose of responsibly, contact us or visit Corridor Recycling in Long Beach.