Composting
Composting is nature’s way of recycling. Composting converts organic materials, including food scrap (like fruits and vegetables) and yard waste trimmings (like leaves, grass and small tree branches) into a dark, earthy-smelling soil conditioner, thereby preserving valuable nutrient-rich organic resources. Additionally, composting can save money by lowering disposal costs and replacing store-bought fertilizers. Compost also saves water by helping the soil hold moisture, reducing water runoff. Composting can make a significant contribution to achieving waste reduction goals, especially if organic waste comprises a large proportion of your waste stream.
Landscape waste has been banned from Illinois landfills since 1990. Significant commercial composting and land application infrastructure has developed in the 20 years since the ban was implemented, and public education has resulted in increased backyard composting and mulching to reduce the amount of landscape waste collected and requiring composting. Recent legislation effective January 1, 2010, now allows food scrap to also be commercially composted in permitted facilities in Illinois. Food scraps constitute approximately 12% of the business-sector waste stream in Illinois. In businesses such as restaurants, grocery stores, and hotels, food scraps may comprise between 40% and 70% (or more) of the waste stream.
If you are interested in developing an onsite composting program, first check with your local community or county waste and recycling coordinator to identify any restrictions on outdoor composting. A properly constructed compost pile is needed to minimize nuisances (such as odors) and achieve a quality finished compost.
You will need space, a bin, oxygen, water, leaves, grass and organics. Bins are available commercially, but can also be made with wood, fence posts, chicken wire, etc. Almost all natural, organic materials will compost, but not everything belongs in an onsite compost pile. Generally speaking, meat, bones and fish should not be composted because they can attract rodents, raccoons and other pests and can cause odors in your compost pile. Dog and cat manure should also not be composted, as it contains harmful pathogens that are not always killed by the heat of the compost pile.
Sources for more information:
Composting Bins and Rain Barrels
(877) 204-7336
composters.com
Cornell University
"Compost, Truth or Consequences" video
(607) 255-6553
cwmi.css.cornell.edu
"Greenscaping Your Lawn and Garden"
(Document #EPA-530-K-03-002)
Environmental Protection Agency
(312) 886-0976
epa.gov
IL Dept. of Agriculture
"Home Composting" brochure
(217) 785-5594
agr.state.il.us
Dept. of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO)
"How to Compost at Home" brochure
illinoisrecycles.com