To help your garden or grass to grow better and to recycle your yard waste and kitchen scraps, composting is the solution.

In 1993 Massachusetts banned yard waste from the trash in an effort to reduce garbage, save money, utilize valuable organic waste, and provide nutrient rich compost for home lawns and gardens.  Using compost on the soil adds essential nutrients, improves root growth, and helps retain moisture, which will help cut down on your water bills.   By placing kitchen scraps, grass clippings, and leaves in your compost bin instead of in the trash, you will end up with rich conditioner for your soil that will result in healthier vegetables, flowers, or grass. 

Composting benefits the environment by reducing the need for pesticides  It also reduces trash collection costs in the City.   The DEP estimates that food waste accounts for at least 10 percent of all municipal solid waste generated in the state, or nearly 900,000 tons per year.  It is important to note that Waltham budgeted over $82,000.00 transporting yard waste.

 For more on composting information and alternative bins visit these websites:

how to compost

composting 101

Composting is a natural form of recycling where organic matter decomposes into a nutrient rich, soil like material called compost. Currently 30% of all trash in the United States consists of compostable materials which instead of filling up a landfill could be used as an all natural fertilizer. Compost offers an organic alternative to inorganic fertilizers made from petroleum which can pollute the earth, compost will also improve soil structure.
           Compost occurs in nature when plant debris, dead animals, and other dead organic materials decompose; when the matter breaks down it is returned to the soil by the acts of micro-organisms, animals, air, and water. Eventually the decomposed material finds its way into the ground where plants can take advantage of the nutrients. In developed areas organic material is often removed before it can become part of the soil. In order to grow plants successfully gardeners must emulate nature by adding fertilizer to their gardens.
            To begin a compost pile one must first purchase or make a compost bin. Bins can be made from wood, chicken wire, pallets, concrete blocks, or even a perforated garbage can. Homemade bins should be approximately one square meter, and ready made bins may be purchased from the Lexington Public Works Building located at 1557 Massachusetts Ave. Lexington, MA. While a compost pile will be just as effective as a bin, a compost bin will help your compost retain heat and moisture, avoid negative effects of the weather, keep pests away, and be more aesthetically pleasing.
            The ideal time to begin composting is in the spring when the weather becomes warmer, once a location for the compost bin or pile is selected, at least two feet from any structure, the ingredients for compost must be gathered. These materials consist of both “green” and “brown” items. “Green” ingredients are high in nitrogen and include such things as: grass clippings, leafy plant trimmings, and food waste (fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, and egg shells are all acceptable but do not include any dairy or meat products). “Brown” ingredients are high in carbon, some examples are: autumn leaves, straw, cornstalks, paper/cardboard, and wood chips. When assembling a compost pile it is not necessary to layer ingredients however doing so will result in a faster conversion of organic materials into compost, in addition to layering, chopping or cutting the materials into small pieces will speed up the process.
           The best method to beginning a compost pile is to start with a course “brown” material such as cornstalks and straw in order to build air passages. Once the first layer is down add alternating levels of “brown” and “green” items with a layer of soil every foot. Once the compost pile is complete it only take minimal maintenance in order to turn spoils into soil. If the pile become too dry it will not decompose, materials should remain damp in order for the maximum amount of decomposition to occur. In addition to water the pile also needs air, fluff the pile with a shovel or compost turning tool each time more material is added. In order for the original materials to become compost it will take anywhere from six weeks to two years depending on a number of variables.
          Most organic materials will become compost when they are put in a compost bin but a few items will harm your compost. Never add chemically treated wood, diseased plants, human or pet feces, meat, bones, dairy, fatty food wastes, pernicious weeds, or inorganic material.