There's No Good Reason Not to Compost
Author Courtney Curtis
Are you concerned that you'll start a compost and it will smell bad? What about it being too expensive to bother with? You might be surprised to find out that many reasons people give for not composting aren't even true. The truth behind the 10 most common composting myths should give you the peace of mind you need to get outside and start composting today. And if not, at least we know we tried!
1. Composting can happen in a landfill.
Composting is actually a very specific process that requires a proper balance of oxygen, organic material, nitrogen, and carbon (among other elements).
When organic waste is thrown away and hauled off to a landfill, it's very unlikely that there will be the appropriate balance of composting elements. Additionally, a compost pile must be turned and maintained, even at a casual level to produce a useful product.
2. Composting takes a lot of work.
Composting is a natural process and actually requires very little work as long as all the right elements are present. What a compost pile needs more than anything is time. If you want to speed things along, though, the more work you put into your compost, the faster it will produce a rich product.
3. If I want to compost I have to buy an expensive composting bin.
Just like anything else, composting certainly can be expensive, but it doesn't have to be. While compost bins are designed to make composting easier and more convenient, you can create your pile anywhere you want with nothing more than yard and kitchen waste.
4. I can put any kind of kitchen waste in my compost pile.
While any organic waste from your kitchen is a great addition to your compost pile, there are some natural waste items that are better off in the trash. For example, meats and dairy products shouldn't be included in your compost not because they aren't beneficial, but because adding them can and likely will result in a smelly compost pile that attracts unwanted pests.
5. I have to turn my compost pile.
Even though the latest, greatest compost bins are all about the easiest method for turning your compost, you might be surprised to know that you can make compost without any turning at all. As long as you have a good mix of organic and yard waste, you're pile can and will do the work itself. Allowing your compost to decompose without turning, however, does slow down the process. If you choose to not turn your pile, you'll need to have a larger area or more bins to accomodate more yard and kitchen waste while you wait for the final compost product.
6. Manure is made from cow feces so I should put pet feces in my compost pile.
Manure certainly is made from a base of livestock urine and feces, but it also contains bedding, runoff, spilled feed, parlor wash, and other such agricultural ingredients. Additionally, while cow and horse manure is beneficial for gardening and farming, pet feces more likely than not contain bacteria that would be harmful to growth processes.
For these reasons, pet feces and manure are not one in the same, and should not be included in your compost.
7. Compost piles smell bad.
As long as you aren't adding the wrong waste items to your compost pile, and you're caring for it properly, your compost will not smell bad. Actually, a foul odor indicates a problem that you will need to diagnose and fix.
8. Composts attract insects and other pests.
If you are caring for you compost in a few simple ways, you should not have a problem with insects or other pests. Adding the wrong kitchen waste will undoubtedly bring unwanted critters closer to your home than you'd like. Avoiding adding certain things to your compost and regular maintenance should keep any unwanted pests far, far away. As long as you're composting correctly, the only insects you'll see will be confined to your compost pile, and will be good for the composting process. If you're still concerned, purchasing or making a compost bin will help create a further barrier for keeping insects and pests away.
9. There aren't any composting programs in my area, so I shouldn't bother.
The Environmental Protection Agency provides a listing of composting programs composting programs for every region, and almost every state, so there is likely to be a program relatively close to where you live. Even if there isn't a structured composting program in your state, composting can still be done on an individual or familial level. You can use compost you produce to help develop your home garden or you can donate or sell it to a local nursery.
10. Burning my leaves is more convenient than composting.
This may or may not be true depending on the person, but there are a few very good reasons you shouldn't burn yard waste regardless of convenience.
For one, burning yard waste is very dangerous and can lead to larger, uncontrolled fires. In fact, many states have made it illegal to burn your yard waste. Another reason you should opt out of burning yard waste is because of the carbon emissions it can produce. Composting is a much more environmentally friendly option than starting uncontrolled fires and producing unnecessary carbon emissions.
11. Composting isn't worth it unless I have a garden.
While composting is most beneficial if you can use the end product for your flower, vegetable, or herb gardens, it is still a useful thing to do even if you don't have a garden. First, composting helps you as well as others by helping to limit waste you send to landfills each day. Also, there is always someone who could use good compost; in fact, you might even be able to sell your compost to a person or company that could use more than they can produce themselves. And it may sound trite, but you'll also benefit by keeping the planet as green as you can make it.
About the Author: Courtney Curtis realized early on that she wanted to inspire change in the world. Developing her skills in media and journalism has since allowed her to reach out and involve others in organic living and sustainable design. Experience: Courtney has written extensively about home and living and recently made the switch to environmental writing. She has traveled to many parts of the world to better understand the environment and different ways of life and is a passionate supporter of and activist for Greenpeace International, the NRDC, Co-op America, and the Humane Society of the United States.
