Compost: How To Benefit & Fight Food Waste

Every day we produce organic waste, which is an environmental hazard when buried in the ground. When the organic waste is buried, it releases toxins into the air that speed up the greenhouse effect. Beyond this, it also contaminates the soil and groundwater. However, with a simple composting process, we can not only avoid the damage, but we can also produce good fertilizer. Creating compost in our garden can reduce the amount of waste we produce by between 50 to 70 percent.

So what do we need in order to start “composting”?

Let’s start by finding a place for our pile, preferably a shady place. Regarding the compost bin, there are many options, the guidelines are that the pile should be open from the bottom, ventilated on the sides and covered on top to prevent animal infestation. You can build a wooden box, dig a deep pit and fence it in with a net, build from a tin or buy a ready-made composting system.

The second thing that we need is to collect our organic waste from the kitchen, such as leftovers, vegetable and fruit peels, food scraps, eggshells, coffee deposits, etc. It is better if you don’t add leftover meat, chicken, bones or fish in order to avoid attracting animals. A bowl or small tin can be placed in the kitchen where we can collect the waste and empty it to the pile when it is filled.

*Tip: it is recommended to put small pieces on the heap in order to speed up the decomposition process.*

We also need to collect garden debris (if you don’t have a garden then go to public gardens) such as trimmings, weeds, dry leaves, etc. which will be used for a dry layer. You can also use egg cartons and paper towels as a dry layer, but in my opinion it is better to send these last two for recycling.

The first layer of the compost will be the dry layer of garden debris, over which we put the organic waste that is our wet layer. Every time we put the organic waste in, it needs to be covered well with a dry layer to prevent bad odors. We need to keep the pile moist so we will occasionally add water to it. It is advisable to mix the pile every so often in order to add air to the process, but remember to add a dry layer after mixing.

*Tip: red worms can also be added to speed up the decomposition process*


How do we know that the process is working well?

The pile should warm up to a temperature of up to 55 degrees Celsius, you can hold your hand just above the compost and feel if the air is hot. If it is not warming up, it is probably not wet enough. In addition the pile shouldn’t have a bad smell. If it stinks, you should mix it or improve the drainage of the fluids.

How do we know when the pile is ready?

A pile that has been treated appropriately will be ready after three to four months. It will be brown-black in color, with the smell of soil and it will crumble easily. If you don’t want to wait for the entire pile to become fertilizer, an opening at the bottom can be created in order for you to remove the prepared fertilizer and make room for new waste.

What can you do with the prepared fertilizer?

If you have a garden with plants, you can generously spread it around them and enrich the soil, (after the dispersal the soil should be watered). If you don’t have a garden you can distribute it to friends or spread it out in public areas.

Good luck!