Composting is better way to deal with food and yard waste

The Gravette Citizens Recycling Advisory Committee decided October would be a great time to learn about composting. As the air finally cools and the trees change colors, our thoughts turn to raking and possibly burning the leaves that carpet our yards and sidewalks. The Recycling Committee wants to invite you to think about another way to deal with leaves this year. How about creating a value added product that will enrich your lawn and save you money?

Mary Appelhof, who wrote “Worms Eat My Garbage,” defines compost as the biological reduction of organic waste to humus. Humus is complex, highly stable material formed during breakdown of organic matter. Compost refers to both the process and end product. One composts leaves, manure and garden residues to obtain compost which enhances soil texture and fertility when used in gardens.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency in 2010, 58 percent of yard waste trimmings generated in the United States were recovered. Organic material continues to be the largestcomponent of the municipal waste stream. Combined, food and yard wastes make up 27 percent of our waste system. Composting diverted 85.1 million tons of organic matter from landfills nationwide. This prevented the release of approximately 186 million metric tons of carbon dioxide into the air in 2012 - the equivalent of taking 36 million cars off the road.

Over the past two decades, different items have been banned from Arkansas landfills in an effort to save space and keep ground water safe. Yard waste is on the list of banned items. The more we can reduce waste atthe source, the more money we save our communities. If you compost your own food and yard scraps, you will save money and have nutrient-rich, free fertilizer for your lawn and gardens.

Benton County Cooperative Extension has a couple of brochures on composting. Hard copies can be found around town and at Gravette City Hall. Electronic copies are available from Recycling Committee members Susan McPherson and Bryan Johnson.

Louise Mann of Waste Reduction Resources, LLC contracts with Benton County Solid Waste.

News, Pages 8 on 10/24/2012