What is Composting

Benefits of Composting

Backyard composting is a controlled process of natural conversion of organic materials by micro organisms into compost. By composting, your can remove more than 500 lbs of organic matter from your household waste per year, diverting it from collection, the landfill or incinerator.

Composting is simply a combination of yard debris (like grass clippings and fallen leaves) and kitchen scraps (such as fruit and vegetable spoils), separated from the waste stream and placed into an environment suitable for decomposition. Through composting, you can experience the benefits of this rich soil additive giving you healthier and greener lawns and gardens.

Benefits For You - The Resident

Composting is so easy and enjoyable it will be part of your daily routine. You will be empowered with the knowledge that you are an essential part of your community’s waste diversion efforts. Enjoy the satisfaction of doing your part for the environment – get composting!

Some municipalities that are active in Home Composting Programs implement public education and outreach programs to encourage residents to compost. Call your municipality about composting programs or workshops in your area.

Benefits from using the Earth Machine™

• Provides excellent soil amendment for a healthier garden, lawn and house plants
• Home Composting Handbook included with each Earth Machine™
• Takes as little as 10 minutes a week
• Reduces use of artificial fertilizers and pesticides
• Can Reduce gardening water bill by 30%
• Can reduce garbage by 30%
• Big enough for a family of five

Benefits For The Environment

Environmental Benefits of Composting and using the Earth Machine™

• Improves soil health and fertility
• Reduces landfilling which reduces methane gases
• Using the compost as a soil amendment helps minimize erosion often caused by wind and water run-off. Compost helps increase soil structure and improves nutrient availability to plants. This supports support strong plant growth and is especially beneficial in areas prone to erosion.
• Improves soil porosity
• Improves water-holding capacity resulting in reduced dependency on watering
• Inhibits incidence of plant diseases

Information collected from U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Composting Council of Canada.

Benefits For Your Municipality

Municipalities bear the responsibility for collecting and processing solid waste; home composting reduces the amount of materials that must be collected, transported to a central facility, and disposed or otherwise processed. A minimum of 650 lbs. of kitchen and yard waste can be diverted per year per household. Home composting is the most cost effective waste management option available.

Finances saved and reduction of resources spent on hauling organics to the landfill can possibly supplement community education programs on waste reduction such as workshops, waste fairs, organics recycling programs and waste diversion incentives for homeowners.