One of the foundations of having a zero-waste mindset is understanding the impact and importance of composting. Composting is nature’s own “zero waste” system! Here in Boulder, we are lucky enough to have curbside pickup and an industrial composting system in place. But, what does this mean, and how does composting really work?
What is composting?
-
Compost is the natural process of recycling organic matter that is alive or was once alive into a nutrient-rich fertilizer
-
Compostable products mean a product is capable of breaking down into natural elements in a compost environment
-
This means that these products break down into carbon dioxide, water vapor, and organic material in a relatively short amount of time
-
-
Compost facilities provide an ideal environment for bacteria, fungi, and other decomposing organisms to break down biodegradable items
What does biodegradable mean?
What does biodegradable mean?
-
Biodegradable substances undergo degradation resulting from the action of naturally occurring microorganisms such as bacteria, algae, and fungi (American Society for Testing and Materials)
-
Examples include papers, boxes, bags, and other items created from materials that are able to break down until they can be consumed at a microscopic level
-
-
Some biodegradable objects leave behind a metal residue (differs biodegradable from compostable)
-
IMPORTANT NOTE: All compostable materials are biodegradable, but not all biodegradable objects are compostable!
What does compostable mean?
-
Items are compostable if they can be turned in compost (nutrient rich soil) by a natural process in an Industrial Composting Facility or in your backyard compost bin
-
Items that can be composted an Industrial Composting Facility have to meet a certification process from the Biodegradable Products Institute
-
Other items that do not meet this certification may not break down in the composting process and then contaminate the finished compost product
What is compostable?
-
On campus at CU, compost collections can be found in rest rooms across many buildings, in the UMC dining area, at many zero waste events, and at these other locations
-
Paper, Food, and other compostable plastics are common acceptable items in the campus compost bins
-
-
In Boulder, curbside compost pickup is available for residents at no extra charge. Here is what can be composted:
-
Compostable paper:
-
Dark and bright colored paper, coffee filters, napkins, paper towels, cardboard
-
-
Foods and plants
-
Anything you can eat, you can compost!
-
Plants, leaves. and branches from yard waste too!
-
-
Specially-designed compostable plastics
-
Look for these logos or the word “Compostable”
Benefits of composting
-
Reduces waste!
-
In Boulder, about 20% of all waste produced is compostable
-
Fewer things get sent to the landfill!
-
-
Cuts methane emissions from landfills
-
When organic matter decomposes, it undergoes aerobic decomposition (the microorganisms that break down the material require oxygen)
-
Since compostable items will get buried in a landfill, they will not be able to be broken down since the microorganisms don’t have access to oxygen
-
The waste instead undergoes anaerobic decomposition, which creates biogas a byproduct
-
Methane is considered a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change
-
-
Improves soil health
-
If you eat food, then you have to appreciate soil health because just about all of the food we eat requires soil to thrive
-
Research has proven that fertilizer provided by soil increases soil’s water retention capacity, resiliency, and overall nutrients
-
-
Conserves Water
-
Agriculture in the US uses about 80% of the nation’s water use through irrigation
-
When the soil is healthy, less water is needed!
-