Compost: What is it and why we need to do it.

All the food leftovers you send to landfills release Methane while decomposing. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is 28 times stronger and more harmful than CO2 emissions. Yes, all the fruit, veggies, grains and other food “waste” you put in the trash thinking it will magically vanish the minute you close the trashcan’s lid, ends up decomposing and emitting Methane in landfills.

Methane: why does this happen exactly?

The problem with sending organic matter to landfills is the anaerobic exposure. In simple words, this organic matter gets piled up with non-biodegradable trash that prevents the airflow. This lack of oxygen flow is what creates chambers within piles of trash that end up releasing Methane into our atmosphere.

How do we prevent this massive release of Methane?

You guess it! By composting! Composting means transforming your food leftovers and organic matter into fertilizer you can later use for your garden or gift to farms, animal sanctuaries and neighbors who love plants. That fertilizer will add nutrients to our soil and plants will grow beautifully without the need of toxic chemicals. The difference between composting organic matter vs sending it to landfills is the oxygen exposure. In a compost bin, organic matter can breathe and perform its normal decomposing process.

How do we compost?

There are options for every type of lifestyle. If you do not have a garden, nor space for your own compost bin, then you can save all the leftovers of your meals (and the organic matter mentioned below), put them in reusable bags, and FREEZE them. Once your freezer is getting a bit full with your frozen compostable waste, take it to your communal compost, an animal sanctuary, or a nearby farm. You can also find neighbors who compost around you with this app Share Waste in the US. In Mexico, you can check out Hagamos Composta. They pick up compost from over 30 cities in Mexico.

Different types of compost for different homes:

For those that have a balcony, here’s a composter we used during the years we lived in our apartment in Miami. It takes a little while (and lots of patience) to assemble but it is worth it. Using it is also very easy. Make sure to turn and aerate it weekly.

For those with a garden, we recommend creating your own composter outside! Santiago build one for our new home in Mexico from old wood pallets. It only took him a few hours with the help of an electric screwdriver and some screws. In our kitchen we have a bowl where we separate all foodleftovers, and a bin in our bathroom for all compostable items. Every other day, we gather everything and pour it in the garden composter. We mix it using a shovel and also top it with some browns (dry organic matter such as dry leaves, paper, cardboard pieces, paper bags and containers wihtout plastic coating, etc).

What makes a good compost?

In order for your compost to create fertilizer, you need a good combination of both dry matter (your “Browns”) and moist matter (your “Greens” or food leftovers). The Greens will provide moisture and nutrients to your compost while the Browns will remove excess moisture while creating space for oxygen to flow. Cornell Waste Management Institute explains this in detail.

What can we compost?

From your kitchen: food leftovers, fruit peels, veggie bottoms, coffee grounds, organic coffee filters, tea bags that are made of organic and biodegradable materials (not plastic bags), loose leaf tea, used paper napkins or paper towels, paper bags and containers that don’t have plastic coating, wine corks, toothpicks, bamboo utensils, plates made of paper or bamboo, cardboard.

From your bathroom: nail clippings, hair, toilet paper rolls, cotton swabs (not plastic ones), old loofahs.

From your home: dog hair, dry leaves, grass, used matches, newspaper.

All it takes is a little patience and the attitude to give it a try. Happy composting! We hope this information is helpful!