Posted by: John_Hamilton on 08/29/2013 11:57 PM
Updated by: John_Hamilton on 08/30/2013 12:05 AM
Expires: 01/01/2018 12:00 AM
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A Few Things You Probably Didn't Know You Could Compost...
Calaveras County, CA...According to Earth911.com, the EPA estimates that 24% of the U.S. municipal solid waste is composed of food remnants and yard trimmings. If we all did our part to compost instead of throwing these materials in the trash, a large portion of everyday waste could be recovered for reuse. And that’s good for all of us! Here’s a few things you may not have considered for your composting efforts.
Houseplants
If your green thumb has turned brown, you may have a plant or two that has gone to their “higher reward”. Believe it or not—you can still put your heaven-bound plants to good use! Dead houseplants provide carbon-rich ingredients for your compost pile, along with dry yard trimmings. Just remove the deceased plant and potting soil from the pot, and toss it all into the compost bin or pile. Wilted flowers and natural potpourri are also carbon-rich compostables.
Pet Food
If you own a pet, you probably have an endless supply of compostables and don’t even know it! Any form of dry pet food is good for your composting, as well as stale catnip and unwanted rawhide dog chews. Be sure and put these items in the bottom of the pile to deter critters. You can also compost your pets fur and bedding from small animal cages. Just don’t use bedding that has been soiled with litter, since it could contain bacteria that’s harmful to humans.
Beer
Yes, you heard right! Beer, including brews that are stale or skunked, is both biodegradable and compostable. Like wine, beer not only is compostable, it also acts as a composting accelerator. It works because it’s a great source of nitrogen, and the yeast within it provides food for the microbes in your pile. The next time you find yourself with some half-full bottles of beer, just dump them on your compost pile before recycling the bottles. If you happen to brew your own beer, all waste generated during the home brewing process is also compostable.
Rags and Old Clothes
If you’re tired of looking at your old towels and rags, and you have old clothes that are too far gone to donate, you can toss them on your compost pile. Old cotton, wool, and hemp clothing, socks and undergarments are also safe for composting. Just be sure and wash anything you put in the compost pile with nontoxic detergent first. Some toxins in cleaning products can be harmful.
Office Supply Leftovers
You may already know you can toss shredded paper, junk mail, and cardboard into your pile, but you probably didn’t think about those sticky notes, masking tape, and pencil shavings. Of course, if your office pencils, etc. are made in China, you may need to be careful about composting them, as Chinese products have been known for having heavy metals, lead, and cadmium. Another good reason to shop for USA Made Products!
Other green materials you can compost are:
Food scraps (never add animal-based leftovers
Fresh grass clippings
Manure (from horses, cows, sheep, goats, or chickens only
Weeds (as long as there are no developed seeds or seed heads
Now that you have all this new-found knowledge about what you can compost, go ahead and get your own composting program started. Having a nutrient-rich compost pile can help your garden thrive in even the most stubborn dirt!
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