Why Compost?
Why Compost? #1 Composting saves YOU money on fertilizing
Presented by: Borough of Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee in conjunction with Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc.
#2 Increases water-holding capacity of soil #3 Reduce amount of household refuse #4 Reduce production of greenhouse gases #5 Compost helps cleanup contaminated soil and prevent pollution #6 Provides vital nutrients to lawn and plantings #7 Suppresses plant disease and erosion #8 Take PRIDE in your actions of conserving the earth
The Borough of Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee Presents
Refer to the Green Initiatives Committee’s website for additional sustainable strategies, sustainability news and upcoming events:
www.mtagreen.org
Please contact the Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee with any questions. Join our Mailing List: [email protected]
Easy Composting For Your Home
FOR HEALTHY COMPOST
CREATING THE COMPOST CYCLE
COMPOST IN 10 STEPS
ADD (1 Part)
•
1. Get a refuse container or pail that you keep on the counter or under the sink.
GREENS
Grass Clippings Fruit Peels Vegetable Peelings Green Plant Cuttings Seaweed Eggshells Organic Kitchen Scraps
• •
Plenty of air – use pitchfork to turn daily or every other day Adequate water – bin should always be moist Balanced Mixture – successful composting requires a good balance of all ingredients
AND (3 Parts) BROWNS
Fatty Food Waste Whole Eggs Dairy Products Poultry & Fish Meat & Bones Poisonous Weeds Treated Wood Plastic Metal Glass Cat Litter Non-Organic Material
3. Purchase a low cost 55 gallon compost bin from the Borough of Mount Arlington. 4. Cover the bottom of the compost bin with a 3 inch layer of small, dry branches. 5. On this bed of branches, place a layer of dead leaves or earth. This will allow air circulation and improve drainage.
Leaves Sawdust Coffee Grounds Tea Bags Paper & Cardboard Woody Cuttings Hay & Straw Corn Cobs
6. Layer 3 parts of carbon-rich matter (brown or dry matter) to 1 part of nitrogen-rich matter (green or wet mater). 7. Add finished compost, gardening soil or newspaper to keep flies out of the compost bin.
DON’T ADD
2. Post the list of compost matter in plain view.
8. Aerate the compost pile using an aerator or a pitch fork once a week.
• •
Small Material Size – break big pieces up, smaller materials decompose faster Adequate Soil – enough soil with microorganisms to thrive and produce rich compost
9. Check the degree of humidity. Add water to the compost until the degree of humidity is similar to that of a damp sponge. Remember that it is always easier to add water than to remove it! 10.Use compost for all of your home fertilizing needs.
Presented by: Borough of Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee in conjunction with Suburban Consulting Engineers, Inc.
#2 Increases water-holding capacity of soil #3 Reduce amount of household refuse #4 Reduce production of greenhouse gases #5 Compost helps cleanup contaminated soil and prevent pollution #6 Provides vital nutrients to lawn and plantings #7 Suppresses plant disease and erosion #8 Take PRIDE in your actions of conserving the earth
The Borough of Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee Presents
Refer to the Green Initiatives Committee’s website for additional sustainable strategies, sustainability news and upcoming events:
www.mtagreen.org
Please contact the Mount Arlington Green Initiatives Committee with any questions. Join our Mailing List: [email protected]
Easy Composting For Your Home
FOR HEALTHY COMPOST
CREATING THE COMPOST CYCLE
COMPOST IN 10 STEPS
ADD (1 Part)
•
1. Get a refuse container or pail that you keep on the counter or under the sink.
GREENS
Grass Clippings Fruit Peels Vegetable Peelings Green Plant Cuttings Seaweed Eggshells Organic Kitchen Scraps
• •
Plenty of air – use pitchfork to turn daily or every other day Adequate water – bin should always be moist Balanced Mixture – successful composting requires a good balance of all ingredients
AND (3 Parts) BROWNS
Fatty Food Waste Whole Eggs Dairy Products Poultry & Fish Meat & Bones Poisonous Weeds Treated Wood Plastic Metal Glass Cat Litter Non-Organic Material
3. Purchase a low cost 55 gallon compost bin from the Borough of Mount Arlington. 4. Cover the bottom of the compost bin with a 3 inch layer of small, dry branches. 5. On this bed of branches, place a layer of dead leaves or earth. This will allow air circulation and improve drainage.
Leaves Sawdust Coffee Grounds Tea Bags Paper & Cardboard Woody Cuttings Hay & Straw Corn Cobs
6. Layer 3 parts of carbon-rich matter (brown or dry matter) to 1 part of nitrogen-rich matter (green or wet mater). 7. Add finished compost, gardening soil or newspaper to keep flies out of the compost bin.
DON’T ADD
2. Post the list of compost matter in plain view.
8. Aerate the compost pile using an aerator or a pitch fork once a week.
• •
Small Material Size – break big pieces up, smaller materials decompose faster Adequate Soil – enough soil with microorganisms to thrive and produce rich compost
9. Check the degree of humidity. Add water to the compost until the degree of humidity is similar to that of a damp sponge. Remember that it is always easier to add water than to remove it! 10.Use compost for all of your home fertilizing needs.
