| What is composting? Composting is a natural process | | | | molecules into smaller ones that they can use as food. |
| which can mean different things to different people. | | | | This releases heat energy, water and carbon dioxide |
| The term 'composting' is used to describe a wide | | | | during the breakdown as by-products and it is this heat |
| range of activities, from a heap of manure at the | | | | that causes the temperature to rise, which is why |
| bottom of a garden to sophisticated treatment | | | | compost heaps are often warm and steamy. |
| processes for commercial wastes and is designed to | | | | Here are 5 reasons why everyone should consider |
| reduce the quantity of organic waste sent to landfills. | | | | composting: |
| Community composting sites tend to be relatively small. | | | | 1. Composting reduces the environmental impact of |
| A typical site may process up to 200 tonnes of | | | | having to incinerate organic waste. |
| material a year. Commercial sites, where composting is | | | | 2. Organic material can form up to 1/3 of our weekly |
| specifically a business activity, or local authority sites | | | | waste. Without composting, this goes straight to landfill. |
| set up to divert biodegradable material from landfill are | | | | Composting minimises our landfill waste and recycles it |
| much larger. With some of the larger sites processing | | | | back into our gardens. |
| tens of thousands of tonnes each year, materials | | | | 3. Organic waste which is dumped in landfill rather than |
| handling equipment and systems become a necessity. | | | | composted stagnates and produces methane and |
| The purity of the product is very important and is | | | | toxic run-off which contaminates soil and groundwater. |
| graded according to its organic purity. Glass is the main | | | | 4. Composting can successfully be carried out at any |
| product that needs to be eliminated to produce a | | | | level, from multi-acre commercial or municipal |
| compost that is pure enough for sale. This has caused | | | | windrows to simple backyard bins. |
| a few problems with some main commercial | | | | 5. Composting is fun, easy and very satisfying. |
| composting facilities therefore rendering the compost | | | | Composting is a fun and environmentally-friendly |
| to be used for capping material until a solution can be | | | | activity. It's something anyone can do to make a |
| found. | | | | positive contribution to helping the environment. |
| But put simply, the microbes break down large | | | | |