I then discovered the organizers had decided to expand “recycling” to include “composting” for the first time. Our job was to stand knee-deep in garbage, sorting out recyclable plastic from a sea of watermelon rinds, cotton candy cones, half-eaten plates of nachos and other rotting refuse.
I learned three valuable lessons:
1. My mother-in-law and father-in-law are amazingly forgiving people.
2. Recycling is just the tip of the garbage iceberg.
3. A little planning goes a long way when it comes to composting.
In the years since, I’ve discovered that composting is actually easy — it’s less work to make compost than to haul heavy garbage bags — and arguably even more important than recycling. What better future can you imagine for your garbage than to replenish the Earth?
If you’re having a get together for the Fourth of July and want to make it a little greener this year, think about a composting plan. Here are some tips:
Figure out ahead of time what you’re going to compost. Separate containers make it easy for guests to do the right thing; you won’t have to sort through their garbage.
A family picnic is the perfect opportunity to start making a batch of compost. Food scraps like corn husks and watermelon rinds can go right in your compost bin. Use your judgment (or consult our list online) for other types of waste.
You can buy plates, cups and even forks, knives and spoons that will compost completely. There are also garbage bags that look and feel like plastic, but are made out of corn so they will compost.
If you don’t own a compost bin and don’t want to make a pile, you can still compost. Just dig a hole and bury your food and paper waste about 18 inches deep. In a year or so, worms and soil microorganisms will convert your garbage to “garden gold.”
For composting links and information, visit http://fwhorch.blogspot.com/2008/06/composting.html.
If you have a plan and people pitch in, you’ll be digging through rich soil by next summer. It sure beats the alternative.
Fred Horch is the founder of F.W. Horch Sustainable Goods & Supplies in Brunswick, providing practical products and trustworthy advice that you can use to help save the planet.