Waste less, nourish more: Why composting matters now more than ever

Metro Creative Connection

To start a compost bin at home, the only things needed are a mix of “green” scraps and “brown” scraps. It should contain a 2:1 ratio of green to brown in order for microorganisms to successfully break down the material added to the bin. The compost owner should turn the pile every week or two to add oxygen to the materials, which can speed up decomposition. The bin should be kept moist, but not too soggy.”

Opinion

Tackling food waste: How Arizonans can make a difference

Each year, Americans throw away nearly 40% of their food, and much of it ends up in landfills, where it produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. But there’s a simple, powerful way to reduce food waste, enrich soil and help the planet — composting.

Whether you’re a homeowner with a backyard or an apartment dweller with a small patio, composting is more accessible than ever. For Arizonans, adopting this sustainable habit can be an impactful step toward environmental stewardship, water conservation and community resilience.

According to Waste Not, food waste makes up over 24% of the material in landfills, and when that food goes to waste, so do the resources that go into producing, packaging and preparing that food such as water, energy, and money.

Why composting matters

By taking the time to add food waste to compost bins, households can play an important role in reducing the amount sent to landfills. Food waste that goes to landfills is forced to break down without any oxygen, which can produce a potent greenhouse gas known as methane. Composting allows food to break down in a way that enriches soil rather than causing harm to the environment, and can promote healthier natural ecosystems.

According to the EPA, landfills are the third-largest source of human-related methane emissions in the U.S. By composting, we divert organic waste from landfills and allow it to break down with oxygen, which not only reduces methane but also returns valuable nutrients to the earth.

Composting basics at home

Being able to help the environment through composting begins with knowing what you can compost at home. Most kitchen scraps and other household organic items are compostable. The suggested ratio for composting is 2:1 green and brown waste. Green waste includes items such as fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds and grass clippings, while brown waste includes leaves, cardboard and shredded newspaper.

To start a compost bin at home, the only things needed are a mix of “green” scraps and “brown” scraps. It should contain a 2:1 ratio of green to brown in order for microorganisms to successfully break down the material added to the bin. The compost owner should turn the pile every week or two to add oxygen to the materials, which can speed up decomposition. The bin should be kept moist, but not too soggy.

Once it’s ready (usually in two to four months), compost can be added to garden beds, potted plants, or lawn areas. It improves soil structure, helps retain moisture — a huge plus in Arizona’s dry climate — and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers.

Although it is not necessary to buy an indoor or outdoor compost container to use, there are many budget, beginner-friendly compost bins that can be used indoors and outside. Many neighborhoods and apartment communities also offer compost drop-off programs, which make it easier for households to participate.

Composting can be a free and easy way to make an impact in your community and reduce food waste. By starting a compost bin, people can begin building a nutrient base to use in their yards and gardens, and help to lower the staggering amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere each day.

Any food waste that can be avoided and used as compost makes a difference in our environment, no matter if it is a single piece of fruit, or an entire compost bin of scraps.

Editor’s note: Tonia Smith is development manager for Waste Not, a Scottsdale-based nonprofit that rescues surplus perishable food for distribution to shelters, senior centers, schools and nonprofits Valleywide the same day it’s rescued. Please send your comments to AzOpinions@iniusa.org. We are committed to publishing a wide variety of reader opinions, as long as they meet our Civility Guidelines.