Helpful tips on how to contribute to Earth Day from Columbus Botanical Garden
Composting
Begin a new activity to celebrate Earth Day 2022. What can I compost?
- Yard Trimmings
- Including grass clippings, leaves, garden trimmings, palm fronds, small branches, small quantities of unpainted/untreated wood
- Food Scraps
- Including fruits, vegetables, and coffee grounds for all compost containers
- Food-soiled compostable paper
- Including paper towels, napkins, coffee filters, pizza boxes, greasy paper bags, waxed paper/cardboard, and unlined or BPI-certified paper containers
Some curbside compost services allow dairy, meat, seafood, bones, and shells (always check with your garbage company before adding these items to your green bin).
What can I NOT Compost?
- Plastic
- Including biodegradable and “compostable” plastics which go in the garbage)
- Pet waste
- Liquids or oils/grease
- Aseptic containers
- e.g. foil-lined, shelf-stable soup or soymilk cartons
- Poly-lined paper
- i.e. any paper lined with plastic, including most tea bags and wrappers, oatmeal packets, and some paper plates, cups and milk cartons
Just remember – food shouldn’t go in your garbage can. Composting is a great way to reduce your household impact and make some great soil in the process for a greener future.
Types of Piles :
· Backyard pile: This option is best for individuals with a large outdoor space in a less urban environment. Find a dry, shady spot near a water source. Once you have started the pile, cover with a tarp to keep moist, and turn over regularly to aerate.
· Compost tumblers: These are ideal for folks living in the city who either do not have the space for a backyard pile or are worried about rats and other unwanted animals. Turn your tumbler regularly to mix and aerate.
· Vermicomposting: For worm composting, you’ll need to find a good container of the right size for your household, enough worms to get the process started, and a source of bedding materials, such as newspaper strips mixed with water with soil on top.” A portable bin to house your worms in is ideal, especially for the disaster-conscious composter. Having a home for your urban resource and being able to move it in an emergency can be beneficial.