As a renter, you surely may not have taken into account composting your kitchen scraps. Because really, composting isn’t possible unless you have a vast garden. Right?
The reality is that even if you don’t have quite a lot of space, there are still imperative reasons to compost your kitchen scraps. What’s more, it’s certainly easy and manageable for renters to compost, even without a huge yard or garden! Compost is great for all kinds of uses and can help you live a more environmentally-friendly lifestyle.
This guide bestows the basics of composting, moreover, what it is, why people do it, and the tactics you can easily take to start doing it.
What is composting?
In the broadest terms, composting is the process of breaking down organic materials into a rich soil amendment. This “amendment” can then be used to effectively improve the quality of your garden soil, make your plants grow, and additionally act as a natural fertilizer.
When you compost, you’re greatly following nature’s process of breaking down organic matter. By performing this, you’re establishing a product that is good for the environment and seriously needed for quite a lot of green, growing things!
Why compost?
There are countless reasons for compost, though one of the most crucial is that it lets us taper down the amount of waste that goes into landfills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, food waste and yard trimmings make up more than 20 percent of what is transported to landfills year after year, and these materials can take years to break down.
Another bigger reason to compost is that it assists improve the quality of your garden soil. Compost enriches the soil with nutrients that plants entail to grow, and it gives support to improving the soil’s structure, making it better able to retain water and resist pests and diseases.
What can be composted?
Just about any nature of organic matter can be composted, including food scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells, yard trimmings, and even paper towels and cardboard. You can even compost pet hair and used kitty litter. (For a complete list of what can and cannot be composted, consider this helpful guide from the EPA.)
How do I start composting?
Various Des Moines renters don’t understand they can compost their food waste at home. By composting, you can effectively reduce your garbage output and support or help the environment. Here are just a few tips to begin:
- As may be needed, communicate to your landlord or Des Moines property manager concerning acquiring permission to compost on the premises.
- If you are living in an apartment or condo, there may already be a community compost bin that you can put into service. Check with your building management to find out.
- If you have a very small yard or patio, take into consideration purchasing a small compost bin to keep your food waste in until you’re ready to dispose of it properly. You can obtain these bins at various hardware stores or online.
- Simply begin collecting your food waste in a container. You can make use of a kitchen garbage can, a plastic storage bin, or even a grocery bag.
- When your container is full, take it to your compost bin and add it to the pile. Always remember to mix it in well to the effect that it breaks down effortlessly.
- As soon as your food waste has broken down, you can administer it as fertilizer for your plants or donate it to a local community garden.
Composting is one of the best ways to reduce your environmental impact, save stress on your garbage disposal, and save money on fertilizer and potting soil. By following these tips, you can embark on composting today!
Are you in search of a new rental home – quite possibly one with a huge yard or garden? If so, look over our listings online to easily find your next home.
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