Chris and Gerry teach us how to compost [via The Late Show with David Letterman]
But seriously, why should anyone compost? For starters, more than 60% of household waste is recyclable or compostable. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), 25% of the food we make each year is trashed. The EPA also reported that in 2005, food scraps accounted for 12% of all landfill waste in the US. This waste contributes to the release of methane -- a greenhouse gas that's 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide -- into the atmosphere. And we all know by now that releasing all that greenhouse gas into the environment contributes to climate change.
So here are some resources for the novice or more experienced composter or gardener:
Books on Composting
- Basic Composting: All the Skills and Tools You Need to Get Started by Erich Ebeling
- Let it Rot! A Gardener's Guide to Composting by Stu Campbell
- Garden My Heart: Organic Strategies for Backyard Sustainability (Kindle Edition) by Cecil Bothwell
- Teaming with Microbes: A Gardener's Guide to the Soil Food Web by Jeff Lowenfels and Wayne Lewis
- Worms Eat My Garbage: How to Set Up and Maintain a Worm Composting System by Mary Appelhof
Composting Contraptions
- Naturemill (especially for pets version)
This is supposed to be the best indoor composter on the market -- great for apartment dwellers. A quick tutorial here - Green Gusanito Factory of Worms
If you're into vermicomposting, this worm farm is for you! - Norpro 94 Stainless Steel Composter Keeper
Useful for storing food scraps before bringing them to the compost heap; air fresh
Composting Tips
- 30 Unexpected and Unusual Things You Can Put in the Compost [EcoSalon]
- Composting 101 [Marquis Project]
- How to Make Compost Tea [Pennsylvania DEP]
Sources:
NRDC. The Past, Present and Future of Recycling. (3/28/08)
EPA. Why Is Food Waste an Issue?
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