Building a Compost Bin, Filling It, Turning The Compost, Spreading The Compost, Isn’t It Just A Lot Of Faff When We Can Buy Compost? So Why Produce Compost At Home Or At The Allotment?
When asked Why produce compost? I start with three simple reasons
- Composting diverts organic waste from landfill in a natural sustainable way.
- Composting produces nutrient and biologically rich soils that supports plants & reduces the need for synthetic “chemical“ fertilisers.
- Composting reduces methane emissions and your carbon footprint.
Diverting Organic Matter From Landfill
Climate change is real and partly driven by CO2 and methane gases in the atmosphere. And when organic material decomposes anaerobically (without oxygen), such as in landfill, it produces methane. But where it decomposes with oxygen, such as in a compost heap, the process is different and no methane is produced. So decomposing organic matter, such as vegetable waste, in a compost heap or bin makes perfect sense.
An alternative offered by many councils is to pay for a green bin. Green bin contents are emptied on a regular basis, often weekly, and are used to produce compost on an industrial scale. It’s then either sold back to local people or sold to producers of peat free compost. Or should I say to packers of peat free compost. The trouble is there are no agreed standards for peat free compost and we’ve all seen the comp-awlintds gardeners make about the rubbish often found in it .. just look around social media to see a sample of the plastic, glass, metal etc found in “quality” composts produced this way.
On the plus side none of this organic matter goes to landfill.But if we buy this type of compost were are probably buying what we or someone else has paid to be talked away in the first place!
Nutrient & Biologically Rich Compost
When organic matter decomposes we get very nutrient rich compost. Compost that has, or has the potential, to produce a biologically rich compost and soil.
Reduce Your Garden’s Carbon Footprint
Composting your own green waste reduces your carbon footprint in many ways. Firstly there’s no need for a council collection of green waste (and the cost of it).
Secondly you don’t haver to go out and buy so much compost .. and the cos toil that as well.
Thirdly, your neighbours can donate their green waste to you .. so they save on transport, cost and their carbon footprint.
Reducing Methane Production
As I said earlier, when organic material is sent to landfill it produces methane. Many places have now stopped landfill, but home composting ensures none of your waste can contribute to methane production.
Composting Satisfaction
Lastly, by composting you get the satisfaction of being more self sufficient and energy efficient. Plus you are feeding the soil which helps you produce better crops.
Enjoy your composting.
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