Landfills prohibit the breakdown of biodegradable materials such as vegetation and newsprint due to their design-the items are tightly packed together; the landfill is sealed too tightly; temperatures are not conducive for breakdown. Composting, on the other hand, enables the natural breakdown of biodegradable materials by providing the perfect environment for microorganisms to thrive. If properly managed, your compost pile should not smell bad, and in a few weeks or months it will yield humus, a rich, soil-like material that provides nutrients for plants.

Composting enables a natural process, but there is a science behind it. To compost properly you will have to keep several things in check:

• Composting requires the right combination of "green" or organic materials (e.g. fruit and vegetable scraps) and "browns" or bulking agents (e.g. wood chips).
• You'll have to think about the size of the items you use in your compost (not too big, not too small), which helps maintain the temperature.
• Temperature will have to be monitored.
• There should be moisture present to allow microorganisms to thrive.
• You'll have to aerate your compost pile to allow oxygen to flow, which will speed up the natural process.

If your composting effort is a small-scale one, you might choose to set up your system indoors. Specially designed bins, such as the NatureMill system, allow for clean, odor-free indoor composting, and the machines do the work for you.

If you're handy, or don't want to spend the money on a compost machine, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) offers instructions to build your own indoor bin.

1. Drill 1/2-inch diameter holes in the bottom and sides of a plastic garbage can.
2. Place a brick in the bottom of a larger garbage can, surround the brick with a layer of wood chips or soil, and place the smaller can inside on top of the brick.
3. Wrap insulation around the outer can to keep the compost warm and cover the cans with a lid.

To set up an outdoor composting bin, you'll need a few more items. The EPA suggests two approaches to outdoor composting.

EPA's suggested approach #1:

1. Select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile or bin.
2. Add your brown and green materials as you collect them, making sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded.
3. Moisten dry materials as they are added.
4. Once your compost pile is established, mix grass clippings and green waste into the pile and bury fruit and vegetable waste under 10 inches of compost material.
5. Optional: Cover top of compost with a tarp to keep it moist.
6. When the material at the bottom is dark and rich in color, your compost is ready to use (this is usually occurs in two months to two years).

EPA's suggested approach #2:

1. Select a dry, shady spot near a water source for your compost pile or bin.
2. Before you add your brown and green materials, make sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded.
3. Cover your composting area with a 6-inch layer of brown materials.
4. Add a 3-inch layer of green materials and a little soil or finished compost.
5. Lightly mix the two layers above.
6. Top with a 3-inch layer of brown materials, adding water until moist.
7. Turn your compost pile every week or two with a pitchfork to distribute air and moisture. Move the dry materials from the edges into the middle of the pile. Continue this practice until the pile does not re-heat much after turning.
8. Your compost will be ready in one to four months, but let the pile sit for two weeks before using.

The agency suggests keeping a pitchfork, a water hose with a spray nozzle, and a square-point shovel to maintain your compost pile.

Vermicomposting is a method of composting that uses red worms. The worms eat through the organic material to break it down and create humus. There are several online resources, such as Worm Digest, for help with vermicomposting.

The EPA provides the following list of items that can go into a compost heap:

Animal manure

Cardboard rolls

Clean paper

Coffee grounds and filters

Cotton rags

Dryer and vacuum cleaner lint

Eggshells

Fireplace ashes

Fruits and vegetables

Grass clippings

Hair and fur

Hay and straw

Houseplants

Leaves

Nut shells

Sawdust

Shredded newspaper

Tea bags

Wood chips

Wool rags

Yard trimmings

The EPA advises the following items should not go into the compost heap:

Black walnut tree leaves or twigs

Coal or charcoal ash

Dairy products (e.g., butter, egg yolks, milk, sour cream, yogurt)

Diseased or insect-ridden plants

Fats, grease, lard, or oils

Meat or fish bones and scraps

Pet wastes (e.g., dog or cat feces, soiled cat litter)

Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides

Cornell's Waste Management Institute provides additional educational resources on composting.

Related Resources

Related Articles How to Choose the Right Eco-Friendly Clothes Dryer How to Talk to an Insulation Contractor How to Reduce Your Junk Mail and Paper Waste See All Related Articles

Related Eco Categories How to Guides Science & Technology Transportation & Travel Top 10s

Topics Family Business Food Alternative Energy People

Tip of the Day Renting Movies Is Green Pick the Right Grade of Motor Oil See All Tips

Glossary Pressure-treated wood Softwood Hydronic radiant floor heating system Megawatt (MW) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Full Glossary

Site Resources Directory Answers Quizzes