Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping

Transcription

1 Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping Chapter 5 You can reduce organic waste at home and protect the environment by preventing food waste, composting kitchen scraps and yard waste, and implementing sustainable landscaping practices. Included in this chapter Home composting Sustainable landscaping Reducing food waste Home composting Composting is nature s recycling system in which the natural processes of decomposition break down organic matter into a dark, earthy, nutrientrich material. Composting is an easy way to reduce household waste. It removes both yard debris and food waste from the disposal system, helps improve local soils and gardens and can be used as a soil amendment to control weeds and save water. It also reduces the need to use fertilizers. Although some people think composting is difficult and requires a great deal of scientific knowledge to do it right, composting is actually both easy and efficient. As an MRC you can help dispel this myth. There are two options for composting at home: backyard composting and vermicomposting. See the print handouts and websites listed in the Resources section and included in the Appendix for more information. Master Recycler/Composter Program Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping 43

2 Backyard composting Backyard composting is an easy way to turn much of the waste from your yard and kitchen into a rich organic material that you can use to improve your soil. How to compost You can purchase a bin or build your own. Hennepin County sells compost bins to help residents get started with backyard composting. Bins are 3 x 3 x 3, made of cedar and wire mesh and cost $45. Bins are sold as a kit with all assembly materials and instructions included, and are for sale at the Hennepin County Dropoff Facility in Brooklyn Park and at distribution events. Learn more at Place your bin in a convenient location for easy access. A shady or sunny spot will work. Add the correct materials. As a general rule, add three parts of dry ingredients (such as leaves or dry grass) to one part of wet food waste. Add food and yard waste, including: 3 Vegetable and fruit scraps 3 Coffee grounds and filters 3 Tea leaves and tea bags 3 Egg shells 3 Nut shells 3 Plant trimmings 3 Grass and leaves Do not add fats or animal products, including: 7 Butter, cheese or dairy products 7 Meat or bones 7 Gravies or sauces 7 Pet wastes Note that fewer materials can be placed in backyard composting compared with curbside organics collection programs. This is because backyard compost bins do not heat up as much as industrial composting systems, so some materials like animals fats and oils cannot be broken down. Mix up the pile with a shovel or pitchfork at least once a month. Backyard composting tips Keep your compost pile at the right moisture level. If your compost pile has a bad odor, it may lack air circulation or it may be too wet. Try turning the pile and/or adding dry material to the pile. If your compost pile is not heating up, it may need more nitrogen or green material. Add grass clippings or a nitrogen fertilizer to the pile. Bury kitchen scraps at least eight inches deep in the compost pile to discourage critters. You can keep adding to your compost pile as it is composting. However, you may want to start a second pile if you have enough material. Place your compost bin in a location you will be able to access in winter. Add a layer of straw or hay to the top of your compost pile in the winter to keep it warm. Your compost pile will slow down in winter, but you can continue to add materials! The best pile is made up of a variety of materials. The smaller the pieces of compostable material, the faster the pile will decompose. Vermicomposting Vermicomposting, or composting with worms, uses red worms to decompose food waste. The worms are very effective at decomposing kitchen food waste and don t take up as much space as a backyard compost bin. The worms will eat kitchen scraps and produce compost and a liquid fertilizer. Setting up vermicomposting Buy a bin specifically designed for vermicomposting or construct your own. Add bedding. Peat moss, shredded newspaper or leaves are good options. Purchase worms. A general rule is one pound of worms for every half pound of food. 44 Master Recycler/Composter Program Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping

3 Feeding the worms Acceptable items: 3 Uncooked fruits, vegetables and grains 3 Egg shells 3 Coffee grounds or tea bags (in limited quantities) Do not feed worms: 7 Meat, fish and other animal products 7 Dairy products 7 Greasy or fried foods 7 Pet waste See the How to Compost with Worms factsheet for more information. Sustainable landscaping The way we care for our yards makes a difference, and implementing sustainable landscaping techniques can save money and time, protect our health and benefit the environment. A healthy, vigorous lawn needs less watering, fewer chemicals and less maintenance. Follow these steps to have a greatlooking lawn and minimize your impact on the environment. Build healthy soil Soil consists of mineral matter (rock, sand or clay), organic matter (plants, animals and microorganisms) and pore space the gaps between organic and mineral matter where air and water can circulate. Nourish soil with compost and mulch. Plant the right plants for your site Choose plants that work well with the soil on your property. By doing some research or consulting a landscaping specialist or nursery professional, you can find a variety of plants for your site that are good for the soil and are low maintenance. Mow at a higher setting Grass mowed to a minimum height of 2 ½ to 3 inches develops deeper, healthier roots and has a competitive advantage over weeds. Manage your grass clippings Don t blow or rake grass clippings and leaves into the street. Leave them on your lawn, use them for compost or bag them up. Grass clippings and leaves in the street end up in the storm sewer where they are carried to nearby lakes and streams. Clippings and leaves contain phosphorus and other nutrients that, like fertilizer, feed algae and other aquatic plants. Algae blooms stress fish and wildlife and make it unpleasant or impossible to swim or fish. Water less frequently Most lawns require just one inch of water a week. If you water too frequently, you encourage the grass roots to remain near the surface. By watering less frequently but more thoroughly, you force the roots to search more deeply for moisture, resulting in deep, healthy root systems that can tolerate the hot summer months. Fertilize smart Most Minnesota lawns only need to be fertilized once a year in the fall. Soils in our area already contain enough phosphorus to maintain most lawns. A simple soil test from the University of Minnesota can determine the condition of your soil and if your soil needs additional phosphorus. Sweep up any fertilizer that spills onto hard surfaces. Excess fertilizer washes away into nearby lakes or streams where it can feed algae. Master Recycler/Composter Program Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping 45

4 Use pesticides and herbicides wisely Read the label before using pesticides, herbicides and insecticides and apply according to directions. Consider spot treatment instead of treating the entire lawn. Consider using alternative or natural remedies or remove the problem by hand. Planning meals, using a grocery list and practicing proper food-storage techniques are easy ways to reduce food waste and keep food out of landfills. When doing outreach, tell your audience that unlike buying local or organic food, which is sometimes out of our control, home food waste is in our hands. Seed bare patches to prevent erosion and soil loss Reorganize your fridge and put the older/more perishable food in the front and the newer/less perishable food in the back. If you have trouble growing grass in a certain area of your yard for example in shady spots or on a steep slope consider replacing that section of the lawn with other plants that are more tolerant of the conditions. Freeze food that you may not be able to eat. Most foods, vegetables included, can easily be frozen and thawed when you re actually ready for them. Aerate your lawn periodically to loosen the soil Aerification is done with a machine that pulls two to three-inch cores of soil from the lawn, allowing air, water and nutrients to be incorporated into the soil. This will improve plant health and dramatically improve water infiltration. You can rent an aerator or hire a service. When you buy a block of cheese, grate the whole thing and freeze it. You can defrost what you need or use it frozen, saving time and money. Check out these websites for more ideas: Reducing food waste A lot of time, energy and resources go into producing food that is meant to be used for nourishment. Cheese is a good example: feeding and milking the cows, cooling and transporting the milk, processing it into cheese, packing it, getting it to the stores, keeping it at the right temperature all the time. Think of all the resources wasted if it then gets thrown away. 46 Master Recycler/Composter Program Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping Eat unprocessed goods especially fruits, vegetables and grains Fresh fruits, vegetables and grains use less resources and energy to produce. Choose the bulk section for your grains. Find farmer s markets, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs and more local food resources at Slow Food Minnesota can help you find local, sustainable, organic food in your area. Visit local.html for more information.you can also buy directly from local farmers. Check out the Minnesota Farmers Market Association at for markets near you Join food co-ops, buying clubs, or a CSA program. Visit for co-op information, and see the Land Stewardship Project at for information on CSAs.

5 Learn how to preserve food Canning and freezing foods gives you access to local, seasonal food year-round. Many community organizations are great resources to learn about food preservation. They may offer equipment and book loans as well as classes to help you get started. See food preservation tips from the University of Minnesota Extension at preserving, and check out the USDA s guide to home canning nchfp/publications/publications_usda.html. Buy durable and used goods for the kitchen Choose reusable cloth napkins and durable plates and silverware over paper napkins and plates and plastic utensils. The longer we own something, the less it costs over time. Carry a reusable water bottle and coffee mug. Take reusable bags to the store, including smaller bags for produce. Many stores offer a refund if you bring your own bags. Remember to bring your own containers when shopping in the bulk section. Rather than buying disposable wraps and films, store your food in durable containers. Prepare and eat meals at home Food made to take with you is usually highly processed and requires packaging. Preparing meals at home and bringing them with you in reusable containers offers more healthful and affordable choices. Put together a lunch kit equipped with flatware, cloth napkin and a microwave-friendly glass container with lid. Pack it full of fruits, vegetables and grains or your leftovers from last night s dinner. Ask family members to compile their favorite recipes and share them with your entire family. Grow and share your food Planting and tending a home garden is a great activity for the whole family. You can even share your garden space with a neighbor. Check out all the local nurseries for seeds, plants and equipment. Borrow garden tools you only need occasionally. Share your extra harvest with neighbors, friends or a local food shelf. Resources Web resources Information about Hennepin County compost bin sales and instructions for backyard composting. protecting-land-water Information about sustainable landscaping practices Print resources See Appendix for samples. Order copies online at literatureorderform. Compost card Compost bin sales postcard Earth-Friendly Home Landscaping Guide How to Compost with Worms How to Grow a Healthy, No-Waste Lawn and Garden Master Recycler/Composter Program Chapter 5 Residential Waste: Home Composting & Sustainable Landscaping 47

6