Compost!

Compost is organic material that is created by combining organic wastes such as grass clippings, food scraps and manure.  It is a safe and easy practice and is beneficial to the environment.  So... compost away!

Compost Leads to Nutrient-Rich Soils

Compost can lead to the regeneration of poor soils.  The process of composting produces beneficial micro-organisms that break down organic matter.  The end result of the composting process is humus, a nutrient-rich material.  Humus is proven to raise the nutrient content and aid in the retention of moisture in soils. As found on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website, "Compost has also been shown to suppress plant diseases and pests, reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers, and promote higher yields of agricultural crops."  

Compost Cleans Contaminated Soil

The process of composting has been proven to absorb certain odors and treat volatile organic compounds (VOC's). It prevents heavy metals from one contaminating water source and two, being absorbed by foliage.  Also, according to the EPA, "The compost process degrades and, in some cases, completely eliminates wood preservatives, pesticides and both chlorinated and non chlorinated hydrocarbons in contaminated soils."

Compost Prevent Pollution

Taking part in the composting process will decrease the amount of garbage you attain.  It is amazing how much organic material we dispose of on a regular basis. Besides decreasing your at home waste, keeping organic material out of landfills aids in the avoidance of producing methane and leachate.  As far as pollutants go, compost is able to prevent storm water runoff from reaching water sources and works to prevent erosion.

  

*I found this list on the EPA website. It consists of some of the great things that can be credited to the composting process.


Did You Know That Compost Can...

• Suppress plant diseases and pests.
• Reduce or eliminate the need for chemical fertilizers.
• Promote higher yields of agricultural crops.
• Facilitate reforestation, wetlands restoration, and habitat revitalization efforts by amending contaminated, compacted, and marginal soils.
• Cost-effectively cleans soils contaminated by hazardous waste.
• Remove solids, oil, grease, and heavy metals from storm water runoff.
• Capture and destroy 99.6 percent of industrial volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) in contaminated air.
• Provide cost savings of at least 50 percent over conventional soil, water, and air pollution remediation technologies, where applicable.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has tons of great information about composting, including what materials are safe to use and what to steer clear of.
*Click here to check out this awesome website :)