 | EcoSafe GKL032195-1 2-1/2-Gallon Compostable EcoBio Bags, 25-Count List Price: Sale Price: $4.50 You save: $5.49 (55%)  |
 | Suncast Recycle Bin Kit BH183PK List Price: Sale Price: $48.93 You save: $11.07 (18%) |
Composting is an invaluable part of today's green lifestyle. It also offers the satisfaction of receiving a gift of beautiful "brown gold", nutrient rich soil, at the end of the process.
Studies have shown that individual home composting can divert an average of 700lbs of waste from landfills per year. Food waste and yard clippings represent approximately 30% of the waste stream in the US, so recycling these materials in a composting bin can make a significant change to our impact on the environment.
Composting is basically making use of the decomposition process that occurs in nature whenever a plant dies. Microorganisms and invertebrates attack the remains of the plant and break it down to become natural humus. This natural decomposition can be encouraged in the backyard environment by providing ideal conditions in a composting bin. The process requires oxygen and water to create the perfect conditions for speedy decomposition. A dry, untended compost pile will decompose, but very slowly. Active composting, however, can be completed in around 6 weeks.
There are 3 key components necessary to create the ideal composting environment:
- Aeration
The decomposition process uses up all of the available oxygen in the center of the pile, so it needs to be "turned" regularly to allow oxygen to be replaced and bring new material into contact with the active microbes. There are excellent composting bins available that accomplish this process, utilizing a rotating drum on a fixed frame that can be easily turned allowing internal fins to break up the pile and provide good aeration. - Moisture
The ideal compost moisture content is between 40 and 60 percent. This represents the moisture content of a well wrung out sponge. Too little moisture will result in the composting process slowing down as the microbe activity will become dormant. Too much moisture will hinder aeration and cause a bad odor to be emitted from the pile. A healthy compost pile will have a sweet earthy odor. - Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio
Carbon is generally referenced as "brown" material and Nitrogen as "green" material. The ratio between the two will have a significant impact on the health of the pile. The bulk of a compost pile should be "brown", with just enough "green" to aid the decomposition process. The ideal ratio is 30 parts carbon (brown) to 1 part nitrogen (green). Too little green material will slow the process and too much may cause the generation of ammonia gas and unpleasant odors.
Examples of Brown material are:
Cereal Boxes, Coffee Filters, Egg Shells (crushed), Dry Leaves and Grass, Newspaper (shredded), Brown Paper Bags (shredded), Saw-Dust, Straw (chopped).
Examples of Green material are:
Grass Clippings, Tea-Bags, Leaves (green), Fruit or Vegetables, Bread, Pasta (cooked), Rice (cooked), Seaweed, Garden Weeds (not bearing seeds or pervasive root structures).
Examples of materials not appropriate for compost piles:
Bones, Cheese or other Dairy Products, Fish, Meat, Rhubarb Leaves, Fats (oils, grease, etc.), Diseased or insect-infested plants, Treated Paper (slick or glossy).
With the above components in place a healthy compost pile will generate heat as the microorganisms decompose the organic material. An efficiently operating compost pile will generate temperatures between 90º and 140º Fahrenheit. The process will naturally slow down in the winter months in cold climates, however some microorganisms like cool temperatures so decomposition will continue. It is not unusual to see steam coming from an active pile in cold weather.
There are many different ways of operating a compost pile. Simple enclosures can be built on the ground and various different styles of composting bin can be purchased commercially. The combination of food waste and yard waste can create a problem with rodents in some areas but an enclosed bin or raised bin may be advisable. Many municipalities offer curbside yard waste collection and transport the material to central composting sites. However, this involves the use of heavy equipment and fossil fuels, so individual backyard composting offers a significant environmental and economic benefit.
| | 55 Gallon Plastic Drum(50.2ga),Compost bin ,rain barrel,Recycle Contain,Dry Well $62.99 |
| | Compost Recycling Keyring $9.81 |
| | Organic Gardening Vol. 3 Livestock CD Recycling Composting Wood Stove 35 Books $0.99 |
| | Vol. 3 of 3 Homesteading Gardening Livestock cd Recycling Compost Wood 35 bks $0.99 |
| | Backyard Composting: Your Complete Guide to Recycling Yard Clippings $0.99 |
| | Soilsaver Compost Bin Maker Composter Recycle Organic $94.99 |
| | 55 Gallon Plastic Drum(50.2ga),Compost bin ,rain barrel,Recycle Contain,Dry Well $62.99 |
| | TUMBLEWEED COMPOST BIN 106 GALLON BLACK 100% RECYCLED PLASTIC $139.99 |
| | Backyard Composting: Your Complete Guide to Recycling Yard Clippings $1.00 |
| | Vol. 3 Organic Gardening Livestock cd How Recycling Compost Wood Stove 35 books $0.99 |
| | EcoSafe GKL032195-1 2-1/2-Gallon Compostable EcoBio Bags, 25-Count $4.50 Compostable bags for mini kitchen organics made with ecosafe compostable plastic.25 - 2.5 gallon bags per box.Size2.5 GALLONColor GREENBCI - 066050... |
| | BioBag Compostable Waste Bags, 3 Gallon - 25 count per box $5.49 Biodegradable Waste Bags3 Gallon Compost/Waste Bag is an organic waste bag that may be used to collect food scraps and other certified compostable waste. This waste bag may be used at home or community composting. The waste bag is made to store and refrigerate food items and may be used to dispose food scraps. The bags keep food fresh for long and do not allow leaks.100% biodegradable100% composta... |
| | Kangaroom Recycle Bags, Set of 2 $12.99 Going green has never been easier. These super-sturdy, "stand on their own" bags have reinforced handles to make carrying a snap. Perfect for organizing and storing recyclables, lawn clippings, compost, etc. Made to be used again and again - the bags are completely washable. Simply rinse out with a sponge or even a hose, then air dry. Keep an extra set for holiday clean-up, storing outdoor toys, p... |
| | Worm Factory 360 WF360B Worm Composter, Black $109.95 Similar in design to the popular Worm Factory 4-Tray Composter (CAD002) the Worm Factory 360 Composter features a thicker sturdier design with an improved base and lid. This composter can hold up to 8 trays instead of 7 and it includes a handy compost accessory kit featuring a coir brick hand rake scraper and thermometer which make maintaining your system cleaner and easier.The Worm Factory 360 co... |
| | Bio Save RBR30125BO Paper Compostable Lawn Bags, 5-Count $8.99 Made from gusseted tubes, the bottom is folded to form a rectangular end and pasted shut. Bag opens easily and can stand upright during yard work. Completely biodegradable and recyclable paper bag. Ideal for composting. Capacity of two times of most 30-gallon plastic bags. Super wet-strength kraft paper withstands all types of weather. Resists punctures or splitting. Bag stands by itself, waist hi... |
| | Curious George Goes Green $5.24 Stills from Curious George Goes Green (Click for larger image) Printable Curious George Coloring Pages (Click for full size) Printable Curious George Connect-the-Dots Pages (Click for full size) ... |
| | Eco Beeps With Skip & Molly Volume 1 $13.99 May 2011 Update... "Plastic Bags" just won 1st Place in the Kids First Film Festival in Santa Fe. It is included on this DVD....Eco Beeps! will help your children make the right decisions on their path to green living. Follow puppet characters Skip and Molly to the world of green as they play in their room atop the village recycle center, or when they head off for green adventures in the Toybox C... |
| | simplehuman Countertop Trash Can, Brushed Stainless Steel, 1.5 Liters/ .4 Gallons $12.50 This 1.5 liter counter top trash can is made of brushed stainless steel with a swing top lid that easily pulls off for emptying. No need for a liner! Its sleek aesthetic, small size and non-skid base is perfect for use on desktops, countertops, buffet tables or condiment stations. Assembly level/degree of difficulty: No Assembly Required.... |
| | EcoSafe GKL032194-1 13-Gallon Compostable EcoBio Bags, 12 Count $5.25 Presto Products GKL032194-1 EcoSafe 12 Count 13 Gallon Compostable Plastic Bags For use in collecting your food waste from the kitchen. The EcoBio bag can be thrown away and it will biodegrade in longer term commercial composts along with the food waste itself. EcoSafe biodegradable products are engineered to degrade and totally fragment in 90 to 120 days and 60-percent mineralize within 12 to 24 ... |
| | EcoSafe GKL042480-1 30-Gallon Compostable EcoBio Bags, 6 Count $6.97 Compostable bags for yard and garden made with ecosafe compostable plastic.6 - 30 gallon bags per box.Size30 GALLONColor GREENBCI - 066057... |