Lose Waste Fast!

Food takes the full circle with no pollution or waste

Now at first blush, this may not sound like the most appealing project on which to embark. However, if you are like me, much of your daily trash is vegetables, egg shells, or coffee grounds, all of which goes into a landfill. According to the EPA, food waste is the #1 least recycled material, and the Earth is running out of landfill space.

Now I realize that I may sound like an infomercial, but I have been searching for a good indoor composter for a long time. I live in New York, and the usual compost pile that we had during my days in Vermont would definitely not be welcome (with regard to either square footage or smell) in my apartment.

So hooray for the NatureMill, a composter that can be used indoors or out, and you can add up to 120 pounds a month of organic waste - vegetables, coffee grounds, dairy, meat or fish. The upper tray provides the necessary environment for composting - cultures which consume the waste products, heat, moisture, and air flow. Every two weeks or so, a light goes on in the lower tray to let you know that your new compost is ready!


Stage 1 in the dirt making process

If you still need convincing, consider the tons of organic waste presently residing in landfills and producing greenhouse gas emissions as it decomposes. This harmful methane emission, which is much more potent than carbon dioxide, is a byproduct of organic matter decomposition in oxygen starved landfills. By composting you are also closing the loop, as no fossil fuels are needed to transport your dirt into your garden or potted plants.

So help keep the Earth clean, and make your own dirt!