How To Compost

Every year, Americans generate 254 million tonnes of trash. Out of that, 40 million tonnes is food.

Every year, Americans generate 254 million tonnes of trash. Out of that, 40 million tonnes is food. Or about 40% of all the food that we produce. Every household, restaurant, and business must work on reducing food waste. Then, any wasted food should be composted. What is composting? How does composting work? And how can it help mitigate climate change? 

Composting is just like nature. Microorganisms break down organic material with the help of oxygen. Organic waste includes newspaper, leaves, grass, kitchen waste, and woody materials. Afterward, this material can be applied back to the soil to fertilize the ground. While composting is not as efficient as reducing food waste, it can help ensure that food isn't left wasted in landfills. In many cities, composting is as simple as ordering a bin from your waste department and separating waste food from the trash. 

In your bin, the composting process begins. Various organisms, including bacteria, work to break down the matter. A composting truck picks up your waste and brings it to a facility. The microorganisms break the material down through aerobic respiration and require oxygen that they get from the air. The organisms also need water to live and multiply. As a byproduct, carbon dioxide and heat are released. The temperatures of these facilities often reach 100 to 150 degrees Fahrenheit. This pile has a complex organization of living organisms. Bacteria and fungi primarily break down the organic matter to survive. Single-celled plants and small worms feed on the bacteria and fungi. Predatory invertebrates feed on the protozoa, mites, and nematodes. Together, a full food web is built from a pile of trash. 

In addition to supporting these ecosystems, compost can also help reduce the number of greenhouse gases entering the atmosphere. The US Composting Council estimates that each tonne of compost saves six tonnes of CO2. Waste is not stacked high in landfills that take up land and pollute the environment, but rather is used by dozens of organisms. After a few weeks, this matter can be used to help fertilize crops and ultimately bring more food to existence. Compost reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, reduces methane, and supports beneficial bacteria. 

While it might take a few extra seconds to compost, it is incredibly beneficial to the environment. Inevitably, food will be wasted. But we need to make sure the food does not go to waste. Contact your waste management department and see if they offer composting options. Even if they don't, you can start composting on your own and use the product in your garden to grow food.