How Does Composting Benefit The Environment

How Does Composting Benefit the Environment?

The environment is a hot topic nowadays, with signs of the impact humans have on it everywhere. You can take steps at home to reduce the negative effect you have on the environment. For instance, you could opt to compost. So, what’s the environmental impact of composting? Specifically, why is composting good for the environment? Let’s discuss.

What Is Composting

Before discussing why is composting good for the environment, you should first understand what composting is. Composting means you place your organic waste in a designated spot in your yard. The waste could include food scraps, lawn waste, and other biodegradable materials, including but not limited to, vegetables, fruits, coffee filters with coffee grounds, tea bags, eggshells, cotton rags, and fireplace ashes. Shredded newspaper, paper, and cardboard are also safe to place in a compost pile.

The material will gradually break down as a result of the bacteria that form in the pile.

You’ll also need to add water frequently but only in small amounts. The bacteria in the pile require water for decomposition. You have to make sure you don’t over-water the compost heap because this could slow down or stop the process.

You want to keep oils, meats, and dairy products out of your compost. These substances aren’t bad for the environment. However, they release an odor and attract pests.

Fewer plastic bags will end up in the landfills when you choose to compost. Plastic is a substance that takes many years to break down, which means it remains in landfills for quite some time and will just continue to accumulate as more and more are brought into the landfill.

On a larger scale, compost has been used to restore wetlands and forests. If soil is highly contaminated, compost can be used to restore it.

Environmental Benefits of Composting

Benefits of composting is helps the environment by creating nutrient-rich soil and keeping all of this waste out of landfills.

Firstly, all organic waste that you typically put in landfills will create methane. This potent greenhouse gas traps heat in the atmosphere, which contributes to global warming. When you compost at home, you reduce those methane emissions.

Secondly, you reduce how much waste ends up in landfills, which are quickly filling up. Therefore, you’re doing your part in waste management through composting. You’re keeping as much of the waste out of the landfills as possible.

Compost can also be used as a natural fertilizer, although you’ll need to use other fertilizer since it doesn’t contain enough phosphorus. However, compost has the three key ingredients necessary to be called a fertilizer — potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus.

In order for soil to grow plants, whether you plant them or not, it must remain moist for a period to allow the plant to obtain this moisture. When you choose to compost, the soil that you use the compost on will retain the moisture better.

When you use compost on soil, you’re keeping plant disease and pests at bay. That means that the plants in that area will grow healthy and strong, so they can continue to release oxygen, which is necessary for humans and animals alike.

If you’re planning on using compost to fertilize your garden, it only takes two to five weeks before it’s ready. That means it doesn’t take long for you and the environment to reap the rewards of a compost pile.

Benefits to You

The environmental impact of composting is great, but you can also benefit from composting personally and not just because you’re reducing your impact on the environment.

According to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), compost promotes higher yields of fruits and vegetables. Therefore, you benefit from more fresh produce, and you’ll have more of it. Additionally, you’ll save money on buying fertilizer since you can use your compost as a natural fertilizer. You’ll also decrease the need for manmade fertilizers. Since compost can help keep pests away, you also won’t have to treat for them as often. This saves you money and reduces the need for chemicals.

You could also save money on your trash removal bill if your company asks you to pay per bag. You’ll have fewer bags, which means you’ll pay less money.

Now, you have a better understanding of why is composting good for the environment. In addition, when you do it right, you won’t have any foul odor, nor will you attract unwanted pests. Plus, the benefits don’t at the environment. While you’re helping the environment, you may find that you’re saving yourself money and decreasing your need to use chemicals that can be dangerous, especially when you inhale them in high amounts.

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