With the attention on the holidays, gift shopping, and all the festivities, many people forget that the winter is also the best time of the year to compost. With the leaves and fallen fruit left over from the fall, there is more than enough in anyone’s backyard to compost. And though composting in the winter sounds difficult, with temperatures dropping and kitchen scraps piling up, it can still be accomplished with an extra amount of preparation.
Though it poses a challenge during the winter season, composting and its advantages outweigh its disadvantages. For one, composting creates natural fertilizer, as opposed to the chemical brands that are often found in stores. This can be used once spring is here, and it's time for some gardening. Second, compost enriches soil. Organic matter and nutrients coming from your backyard and kitchen can be converted into soil that is not only richer, but also better in texture. When the weather becomes warmer again, and the time comes to plant all those new flowers and fruit trees, soil is readily available for use. Last, but most importantly, participating in composting lowers your carbon footprint by reducing the emissions from landfills. As the new year approaches, now is as good a time to pick up new habits, sustainable habits. Sure, our resolutions should include becoming a “newer, better me”, but what about an eco-friendlier me too.
While composting can be easily picked up and practiced, it takes a bit more knowledge to do it properly. For instance, it becomes rather important to know whether certain items can be composted. Greenwashing of products is very much intentional, in hopes of appearing environmentally friendly to consumers. Things like tea bags and green doggie bags might appear as “compostable”, but they are actually “biodegradable”. There is a slight difference, but a very significant one. Truly compostable items can indeed be composted. Biodegradable, on the other hand, describes things that are unable to be broken down in a home compost system; anything biodegradable should be thrown in the trash. Still, composting is a largely sustainable activity that can be adopted by anyone. In fact, we encourage you to join Sustainable Contra Costa in Pittsburgh on Februrary 8, 2019 for a beginner’s guide, as well as expert tips on composting.
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