But I Don't Want to Compost

Composting seems to be a big deal these days. Gardening season is upon us and wouldn't it be great if we all had some rich compost to mix in with the soil? In my case, it would be great to just have the beginnings of a garden, but I'll save my woes of the gravel-pit-which-won't-morph-into-a-garden-without-me for another day...

I'm no composting expert, but I get so many questions on it, I decided to tackle the three biggest questions - why should I do it, how do I keep it, and what do I do with it.

Why? Composting is better than dumping the food into a landfill because it creates far less methane, which is the 3rd most common greenhouse gas. Composting is better than sending it down the garbage disposal because that requires water usage and chemical treatment at the sewage plant.

If you don't compost, are you responsible for the demise of our planet? No, definitely not. If you honestly can't see yourself in the choices below, move on. Focus your efforts in other areas that seem more natural to you.

Where do I keep the food?

* Under the sink - I keep my food scraps under the sink in a basic Rubbermaid garbage can. We use a paper grocery bag (which we still have from all those trips to the store where I forgot the bag), but truthfully the bag does usually rip because the stuff on the bottom is frequently wet. It doesn't smell, but it doesn't always leave the garbage can looking pretty either.

* In a container in the fridge - This is for the people with super-sensitive noses. The downside would be the space it takes up space in the fridge.

* On the counter - Companies like Williams-Sonoma have all kinds of fancy containers that actually look good on the counter. They also have charcoal filters for the odor issue.

What do I do with it?

* Worm bin - clearly not for the casual composter...

* Compost pile/bin - Here's an earlier blog I wrote about this.

* Curbside yard waste program - Check with your local company to see if this is an option. If not, suggest it!

* Local drop-off sites - Some urban areas have created drop-off sites. Try Googling your city name and "compost drop-off site."

Ok, enough garbage talk for a while!

It's Tax Time - Shredded Paper, Anyone?

I wish I could say that I was one of those people who neatly file my paperwork in some great organizational system, but sadly, that's never been me. I'm more of a, "Oh no, it's March and my tax documents are squeezed into that giant pile along with the warranty manuals, kids report cards, medical records, and mortgage re-finance documents!" kind of person.

Image by Gavin Luhrs via Flickr

So, here it is March again and I am once again vowing to never get such a giant pile again. There's much less paper coming in these days since many of my bills and statements are online, but my renewed attempt at creating a manageable filing system (I'm going with financial guru Suze Orman's advice this year), has lead to lots of paper shredding.

Where does all that shredded paper go? In my case, I put it in with our yard waste/food scraps where it gets turned into compost at Cedar Grove. Apparently, shredded paper doesn't have enough fiber to be good for recycling, but it does help with the composting. Check with your local garbage company to see if they have the same preferences.

I hope my spring cleaning contributes to some yummy vegetables or pretty flowers this summer!

Composting Choices

I have never done my own composting, but am happy that my garbage collector is now allowing me to compost all my food scraps and soiled paper along with my yard waste. I'm no expert, but a friend asked me how to get started so I did some quick research for those of you that are wanting to compost. It's a great way to get all those nutrients from our food back into the ground. Who knows, maybe I'll jump on the bandwagon eventually...

Image by hockeyshooter via Flickr

There is essentially a continuum with the low-cost, needs-a-lot-of-space version on one end and the high-cost, small-area versions on the other. A Recycling Revolution provides some straightforward pros and cons of each to help you decide which is right for you. The lowest cost method is simply a compost pile, but this requires a decent sized yard and some tolerance for "wildlife" (I translate that into rats in my area, but I imagine wildlife varies by location). On the other end of the spectrum, you can purchase all kinds of bins that spin, toss, and circulate your compost. The middle of the road options include build-your-own compost bins and cone structures that can be partially inserted into the ground.

If you're ready to start composting, here are some options:
* If you want to build your own, check out Seattle Tilth has some great online directions on everything from compost bins to worm systems.
* If you want to buy a compost container, a good first step is to check with your local utility. For example, Seattle residents can purchase a "cone" system for $25.
* Check local nurseries or hardware stores. Since I have a lot of Snohomish County readers, I checked with two local stores - Wight's Home & Garden and Emery's Garden both expect to be receiving their bins in about another month. The Home Depot also has one for $179.

The friend that asked me about this is hoping to work with her local grocery store to get their damaged or spoiled produce. She asked what they do with it and was disappointed to hear that it all goes straight to the garbage. If all goes well, they're hoping to offer the compost to neighbors - a great family project!