Food Waste

Composting is a great way to recycle all types of food and yard waste right in your backyard. Using compost in your soil or mulch provides valuable nutrients for plant growth, reduces moisture/nutrient loss from the soil surface, helps control weeds, reduces soil erosion on slopes, helps maintain soil temperatures, loosens/aerates heavy clay soils, and attracts earthworms and other microbes that benefit gardens and flower beds.

To compost, all you have to do is build a pile of organic materials that provides living conditions for insects and microscopic organisms. When properly maintained, the organisms will quickly decompose your food and yard waste into compost. The proper balance of the following is all that is needed for a successful compost pile: Nitrogen-rich organic materials (Fruit & Vegetable Scraps, Green Leaves/Plants/Grass Clippings, Coffee Grounds, Tea Bags, etc.), Carbon-rich organic materials (Brown Leaves, Pine Needles, Wood Chips, Shredded Newspaper, Straw, etc.), heat, moisture, and aeration (though the materials can also decompose if never turned—it just takes a very long time!). Check online for more information about building and maintaining the perfect compost pile.

Non-perishable, unopened food can also be donated to local food pantries that will provide to people in need.