What is compost? Composting is the managed decomposition of organic materials by microorganisms. Organic carbon-based materials include (non-treated) grass clippings, leaves, yard and tree trimmings, and food scraps. The end product is called compost. This stable soil amendment helps build the health of your soil and provides nutrients to plants in your garden. Microorganisms feed on the materials added to your compost pile. They use the carbon and nitrogen to grow and reproduce.

Why compost at home? From the United States EPA “Composting is nature’s way of recycling. It is one of the most powerful actions we can take to reduce our trash, address climate change, and build healthy soil. By turning our food scraps and yard trim into compost, we transform our waste streams into a beneficial, value-added soil amendment and use it to protect the environment and create resilient communities.”

• Composting is a resourceful way to recycle the food scraps and yard trim you generate at home all year and manage your waste more sustainably.

• You reduce the volume of materials that might otherwise be disposed of in landfills or trash incinerators – leaves, grass clippings, yard trim, and food scraps – and prevent powerful greenhouse gases from being emitted into the atmosphere.

• Composting involves minimal effort, equipment, expense, and expertise and can be fun. 

• You save money by producing a free, high-quality soil amendment – compost – which reduces your use of fertilizer and pesticides.

• You can use your compost to build healthier soil, prevent soil erosion, conserve water, and improve plant growth in your garden and yard.

How can I compost at home? There are numerous ways you can compost at home. You can build free form compost piles in your yard or build a wooden frame to support your compost piles.

Compost tumblers take up minimal room in a yard and are a quick and easy way to keep your pile rotated. You can also find plastic compost surrounds if you’d like to keep you pile on the ground.

Don’t have room for either of these? All the cool kids are composting now so there are several table top or trash can sized composters you can buy for your home or apartment.

I have my compost area ready, what now? All you need is your organic matter, air and water! Review expanded lists of what to avoid adding to your compost bin before proceeding.