Composting 101: How Nature’s Process Helps Reduce Waste
Composting (nature’s method of recycling decomposed organic materials) is essential for the environment. Recycling and composting prevented 87.2 million tons of material from being disposed in 2013, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). And it’s not just adults working to positively impact that number—kids can take an active role, too!
Composting 101, which we will go into more detail below, is just one of many areas of science you can discuss and explore with your child. In addition to composting, you can help your child discover food chains, how plants grow, the cycle of water, and so much more. To start with a fun science project related to Composting 101, try this easy soda bottle composting science experiment, which we will walk you through in the instructographic.
What Is Composting?
There are different types of composting you and your family can do. They are:
- Backyard composting
This is perfect if you have a yard and fallen leaves, straw, grass clippings, and food scraps. Note: this is the type of composting explored in the soda bottle experiment mentioned above.
- Worm composting
Maybe you have a small yard or no yard at all. As long as you have food scraps, you can do worm composting.
Avoid the compost pile but still use your grass clippings. Simply leave them on your lawn to decompose.
There are numerous benefits for both you and the environment when you compost, as composting does the following things:
- Helps divert food and yard waste from landfills
- Reduces the amount of greenhouse gas released into the air from landfills
- Makes soil healthier for plants and vegetation and improves moisture retention
- Saves money on fertilizer or manure
- Increases nutrients in the foods you grow, making you healthier
- Helps educate your family about the composting process
What Can Be Composted?
For the soda bottle composting experiment in the instructographic above, you should have two types of compost: food for the microbes and a bulking agent. Here are some options you can use:
Food for the Microbes
What CANNOT Be Composted?
Avoid using any of the materials listed below for a compost, as they may be harmful to people, plants, or the environment in general.
- Black walnut tree leaves or twigs
- Coal or charcoal ash
- Dairy products (eggs, butter, milk, cheese, sour cream, yogurt, etc.)
- Diseased or insect-ridden plants
- Fats, grease, lard, and oils
- Meat or fish bones or scraps
- Pet waste
- Yard trimmings treated with chemical pesticides
How and Where to Use Compost
After the natural process of composting is finished, don’t let it go to waste! You can use the compost in a variety of ways. To start, use it to help your plants and vegetables grow by putting it in the soil mixture of potted plants or spreading it around trees and shrubs. You could also use the compost as mulch for your garden or landscaping.
No matter what you decide to do with your compost, the important part is spending time with your child and providing education on the importance of recycling and composting materials rather than throwing them in the garbage. Make sure your child understands which items can be composted, how the process works, and how the compost can be used afterwards.
Have you talked to your children about the importance of composting and recycling? We and our community of parents would love to hear any tips and ideas you have to offer in the comments below.