One of the fastest growing trends in the green movement is composting. As landfills overflow with our waste, people are looking at other ways to deal with food and yard waste that are more efficient both economically and environmentally. In many areas of both the United States and Canada, food waste will soon be banned from curbside trash and alternatives are going to be necessary. The good news is that what you throw out every day, approximately half of your curbside waste is actually gold for your garden!
 
Composting food waste at home is better for the environment and actually saves on Co2 emissions. A commonly-asked question is “won’t this garbage compost naturally in the landfill?” The problem is that most household waste is put into plastic bags on the way to the landfill and it does not break down or allow air flow. Without the proper air flow the waste breaks down differently, ending up creating methane gas which is harmful to Earth’s atmosphere. When the same waste is composted at home, in the proper conditions, the waste decomposes aerobically using oxygen and very little methane is produced. After 9–12 months, you are left with sweet-smelling, nutrient-rich soil your indoor or patio plants can use to be healthy and it will not have cost you anything more than a bit of time. It’s a win-win for you and the planet! 
 
Use a mixture of different types of materials for best results. You will learn the right balance over time, but a general rule is to use 1 part “greens” to 2 parts “browns”.
 
“Greens” (nitrogen-rich ingredients) – these are considered the “hot” materials or “activators”. They break down quickly, but if left by themselves become a smelly mess.

• Grass cuttings
• Nettles (not roots)
• Young weeds
• Uncooked fruit and vegetable peelings
• Tea bags and leaves, coffee grounds 
• Green pruning (not woody)
• Animal manure from herbivores, e.g., cows and horses, even better, find ruminant manure from llama, goats, and alpacas (requires little to no time to break down)
• Poultry manure 

“Browns” (carbon-rich ingredients – slow to rot) – these give the compost body and make up the bulk of the compost

• Unwaxed cardboard, e.g. cereal boxes, toilet roll tubes, and egg boxes
• Waste paper and junk mail, including shredded confidential waste
• Vegetarian pet bedding, e.g. rabbits and guinea pigs (hay, straw, shredded paper, wood shavings)
• Yard clippings
• Wood from pruning (chipped or chopped up)
• Old bedding plants
• Sawdust
• Wood shavings
• Straw
• Autumn leaves

Other compostable items

• Ash from the fireplace, in moderation
• Hair, nail clippings
• Egg shells
• Dryer lint
• Vacuum bag contents
• Natural fibres, e.g. wool or cotton

Do NOT compost

• Meat
• Fish
• Cooked food
• BBQ briquettes
• Cat litter
• Dog feces
• Disposable diapers or sanitary items

Homemade compost has everything your plants need including nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. It is the ultimate soil conditioner and the only fertilizer you will need to keep your plants healthy.