Composting of Waste by using simple steps in 2024

As much as increasing our global population day by day, using waste material are increasing rapidly. Waste is a big problem in our world today. Every year, we create millions of tons of waste. Most of this waste goes to landfills. Out of them, they are different categories. But some of them are the organic family and they can be recycle easily. When, we are release or throwing waste into landfilds, after some day, they decompose internally and release harmful toxic greenhouse gases, which are hazards for our environment as well as ecosystem. But there is a better way—composting of waste. Composting is the process of recycling organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. It is easy, affordable, and good for the environment. So you can easily handle it. 

In this blog, i will explain the problem of waste, and how entire process of composting of waste in a step-by-step process. So you can start composting from today.

Problem: The Growing Waste Problem

Waste is growing fast at an alarming rate. In 2018, in the United States alone produces, 292 million tons of municipal solid waste. The world is making more waste than day by day. Most of this trash goes to landfills. In landfills, the waste doesn’t decompose properly, instead, it creates toxic methane gas. Methane is a bad greenhouse gas. It is worse for the environment than carbon dioxide.

Here’s the problem: 

Near about 30% of total waste are contain Organic waste. This organic waste includes food scraps, yard clippings, kitchen scraps and other materials that can be composted. Instead of using these items for compost, we throw them in landfills. In landfills, these materials break down without air (oxygen). This process creates methane, a harmful gas that can hurt our planet. For know about that visit EPA website. 

Case Study: Landfill Problems in New York City

New York City creates about 14 million tons of waste every year. The city exports most of this waste to other states, which costs a lot of money. Millions of dollar expanses to continue this process. A big part of this waste is organic, like food scraps and yard waste, which could be composted. If more people in New York City started composting, the city could save money and help the environment.

Agitate: The Environmental Consequences of Ignoring Composting

Ignoring composting is not bad for our planet, it is also harmful to our health and economy. When we throw away food scraps or organic waste in the trash, they go to landfills. In landfills, these scraps do not break down like they do in a compost pile. They decompose here without oxygen. This is called anaerobic decomposition. This process creates methane gas. We all know that methane is very harmful. It is 25 times stronger than carbon dioxide at absorbing heat in our atmosphere. When our atmosphere heated, it creates climate change badly. 

But it’s not just about greenhouse gases. When organic waste rots in landfills, it also causes bad smells and attracts pests like rats and flies. When rainwater soaks into the waste, it creates a toxic liquid called leachate, which can contaminate nearby water sources. This means that the waste problem is both an air pollution and it also harms our water. 

Real-World Example: San Francisco’s Waste Crisis

In San Francisco, city's effort, people tried hard to recycle and compost. But still, around 40% of their waste went to landfills. This surprised many city leaders. They saw that they needed to manage waste better. They realized that composting could help them to reduce landfill usage. 

Solution: Composting as a Simple and Effective Way

Now that we understand the problem, let’s focus on the solution: composting.

Composting is natural way of recycling. It transforms organic waste like food scraps, grass clippings, and paper into a valuable nutrients rich materials, that we called compost. Compost improves soil quality, helps retain moisture, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Best of all, it is very easy to do at home.

Here’s how composting works:

1. At first, You have to gather organic waste like (fruit peels, coffee grounds, vegetable scraps, etc.

2. Creating layer:  You have to layer it with brown materials (leaves, branches, and paper).

3. Regular maintain is the key of composting. You can maintain the pile by turning it regularly to introduce oxygen. Which helps better decomposition. 

Over time, the waste breaks down into nutrients rich, black compost, which can be added to your garden or plants for better results. 

Benefits of Composting:

1.Reduces landfill waste: Composting can help to reduce the waste up to 30% that you sent into landfills. 

2. Cuts down methane emissions: Composting prevents organic waste from producing methane in landfills. So, by using this method you can create a better planat. 

3. Enriches soil: Compost provides essential nutrients to the soil. If you plants get good nutrients that can help them to grow faster with improveing  their structure. Composting can also enhances moisture retention.

4. Promotes healthy plant growth: Using compost reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can harm the environment. By usint composting you can save a huge money that can not waste to buy a synthetic fertilizer. 

How to Start Composting Today

Composting is not complicated, but it is very easier than you think. You can start small with just a bin and some food scraps. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Choose a Composting Method

There are so many composting method in our website, you can use them in your backyard or kitchen or if  you live in a small apartment you can also use them very simple way. 

Traditional composting: It is ideal for homes with a backyard. You can start it with a compost pile or use a bin.

Indoor composting (vermicomposting): If you live in an apartment, you can use a worm bin to compost indoors. The worms break down the organic waste into compost.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials

Composting needs two types of materials:

Greens: These are high in nitrogen and include items like vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and grass clippings.

Browns: These are high in carbon and include things like dead leaves, twigs, cardboard, and newspaper.

To start, layer your compost bin with equal amounts of greens and browns. The balance of these two materials is important for effective composting.

Step 3: Maintain Your Compost Pile

Once you’ve set up your compost pile, you need to maintain it. Turn the compost pile every one or two week to ensure that it gets enough air. The compost should be moist but not soaking wet.

After a few months, you’ll have dark, nutrients rich compost ready to use in your garden.

You can also read our related post on Top 5 way to avoid bad smells in composting to ensure your composting process stays clean and odor-free.

Case Study: How Los Angeles is Reducing Waste with Composting? 

In Los Angeles, a new initiative was launched to help people to compost at home. They offered free workshops to teach residents how to compost at home. They also gave discounts on compost bins. After a year, more people started composting, composting rates increased by 35%. At the same time, the amount of waste sent to landfills decreased by 20%. This change saved the city money on waste disposal and helped reduce greenhouse gases.

Case Study: Seattle's Successful Composting Program

Seattle has been a leader in waste management and composting for several years. The city started its curbside composting program in 2009. The goal was to send less organic waste to landfills. The city want to recycle about 60% of the product, by set up their goals. Know more read CNN report. 

Results of the Program

High Participation Rates: 

Over 60% of Seattle residents actively participate in the composting program.

Waste Diversion: 

In 2019, Seattle diverted about 30% of its waste away from landfills. The city did this by composting and recycling. 

Reduction in Landfill Waste: 

The city reported that about a 40% less waste to landfills since the program started. This helped lower methane emissions from decomposing organic waste.

Community Education and Outreach: 

Seattle's success attract more people to join them. They mainly focuses on teaching people about composting. The city gives residents free workshops, simple guides, and compost bins and international materials. These tools help people to understand  what they can and cannot composted. That also attract people or making it easy for them to join in. 

Impact on Soil Health: 

The compost from Seattle’s program goes to local parks and community gardens. This helps make the soil better and promotes local gardening. The city has also seen a rise in urban farming project that use this compost, which helps grow more local production.

Seattle's composting program show that how special education and community involvement can reduce waste management with improving environmental health. Seattle made composting easy for people to understand, so many people now do it to help their community and the planet. 

Case Study: Toronto's Green Bin Program

Toronto, Canada, has implemented a successful Green Bin Program designed to collect organic waste from households. Launched in 2002, this initiative aims to reduce the amount of organic material that ends up in landfills and promote sustainable waste management practices.

Key Features of the Green Bin Program:

Comprehensive Collection: The program lets people put food scraps, dirty paper, and yard waste into green bins. Then regular basis, the city picks up these bins.

Convenience: Each household receives a green bin along with smaller kitchen containers for collecting food scraps. This makes it easy for residents to separate organic waste from regular trash. 

Results of the Program:

Waste Diversion: 

By 2021, the Green Bin Program took more than 30% of the city’s waste away from landfills. This means millions of tons of organic waste turned into nutrients rich compost. 

Environmental Impact: 

The program significantly reduce the greenhouse gases emissions. The city reported that the composting process has reduced  methane emissions by about 50,000 tons annually.

Community Engagement: 

Toronto mainly focuses to teach people about composting. The city wants everyone to understand why composting is important. They help people learn how to compost at home. The city gives out useful resources. These resources include guides and easy instructions. Toronto also offers free workshops. In these workshops, people learn how to use compost bins and what can go into them. This way, everyone can take part in composting and help the environment. The city provides resources such as:

Educational Workshops: 

Residents can attend free workshops that teach them about composting, including what materials can be composted and how to set up home composting systems.

Information Campaigns: 

The city runs campaigns to increase awareness about the benefits of composting and encourages residents to use the Green Bin effective way. 

Impact on Local Soil and Gardens: 

The compost produced from the Green Bin Program is used in city parks and community gardens, promoting local food production and improving soil quality. Many community gardens in Toronto use this compost to grow fresh food. This helps create a strong food system in the city.

Toronto's Green Bin Program shows how a good composting plan can help the environment. The city made it easy for people to join by teaching them how to compost. Because of this, many residents now compost their food waste. This program has reduce their waste and helped everyone to creates pollution free environment. 

Case Study: Austin's Composting Initiative

Austin, Texas, is known for it's smart way of dealing with waste management. The city started a curbside composting program in 2012 , with setting a broader goal to achieve zero waste by 2040. The program helps people turn food scraps and yard waste into compost instead of throwing them away. This makes waste management easier and more eco-friendly.

Key Aspects of the Initiative:

Curbside Collection:

Austin gives people separate bins for composting, recycling, and trash. The curbside composting program accepts many types of organic waste, like food scraps, yard waste, and even some paper that can’t be recycled.

Accessibility: 

The program is available to all single-family homes in Austin, which makes it easy for residents to participate.

Results of the Program:

Waste Reduction: Since the program started, Austin’s composting effort has kept over 40,000 tons of organic waste out of landfills each year. This has helped the city reduce the amount of waste going to landfills by 42%.

Lowering Greenhouse Gases: By composting organic waste instead of sending it to landfills, Austin has reduced  near about 25,000 tons of methane annually. This helps the environment and slows down climate change.

Community Education and Support:

Austin’s success comes from helping people learn about composting. The city runs different programs to teach residents how to compost.

Workshops and Events:

Austin holds composting workshops. People come to learn how to compost at home or in community gardens. The workshops are hands-on and easy to follow.

Online Resources:

The city provides online guides and videos. These help residents understand the best ways to compost and what materials to use.

Working with Local Businesses:

Austin has also partnered with local businesses and organizations to promote composting. Austin also works with local restaurants and grocery stores. These businesses give their food waste to the city’s composting program. By working together, the city and businesses reduce waste and support composting in the community.

Impact on Local Agriculture:

The city of Austin uses the compost from its program in parks, gardens, and farms. Many community gardens get this compost to grow fresh food for local people. This helps support farming in the city and makes it easier for people to grow their own food.

Austin’s composting program shows how Importantce of community education are important for good waste management. The city collects compost at the curb and teaches people how to compost. They also work with local businesses to make the program stronger. By doing this, Austin has reduced waste and helped the environment. This program is a good example for other cities that want to start composting and make a positive change.

Case Study: Philadelphia's Zero Waste and Composting Program

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has made significant progress in its waste management efforts through its Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan. This plan have a strong focus on composting. The city aims to divert organic waste from landfills and promote sustainable practices among its residents.

Overview of the Program:

Compost Drop-Off Sites: Philadelphia does not have a curbside composting program yet. But the city has set up many compost drop-off sites. People can bring their food scraps, yard waste, and paper products to these locations to be composted.

Community Engagement: The city works with local groups and organizations to run and promote these drop-off sites. This helps more people learn about composting and makes it easier for everyone to join this program.

Results of the Program:

Waste Diversion: In its pilot program, Philadelphia collected over 6,000 tons of organic waste from drop-off sites in one year. This helped reduce the amount of organic waste going to landfills.

Community Participation: More people in the city are getting involved. In 2020, a survey showed that over 70% of residents knew about the compost drop-off program and how it helps.

Educational Initiatives: To make composting easier, the city offers education and resources:

Workshops and Training: Philadelphia holds workshops to teach people how to compost. The workshops cover things like backyard composting and vermicomposting (using worms to compost).

Online Resources: The city also provides easy-to-follow guides and videos online. These resources explain what you can compost and how to use the program.

Partnerships with Local Organizations: Philadelphia works with nonprofits and environmental groups to spread the word about composting. These partnerships help run community events, where people can learn about composting and even get free compost bins.

Impact on Local Environment: The compost collected from drop-off sites is used in parks, gardens, and urban farms in the city. This helps improve the soil and supports local food production.

Philadelphia's Zero Waste and Litter Action Plan shows how cities can take simple steps to manage waste better. The city involves the community and teaches people how to help. By setting up compost drop-off sites and getting residents involved, Philadelphia has reduced organic waste and built a habit of composting among its people.

Conclusion: Start Composting Today to Make a Difference

Composting is a simple, effective solution to reduce waste and help the environment. By turning your organic waste into compost, you reduce the need for landfills, cut down on harmful greenhouse gases, and create a valuable resource for your garden.

If everyone started composting by using their waste, we could make a big impact on the environment and help fight climate change. So why are you wait?