Composting is a way to recycle kitchen and yard waste by putting organic materials together to decompose. It is environmentally friendly as it produces low methane and creates nutrient-rich soil. To compost properly, one needs the right balance of air, water, greens (nitrogen-rich materials like fruit and vegetables), and browns (carbon-rich materials like leaves and paper). Layers of greens and browns are alternated in the compost bin and turned regularly over 2-4 months until the compost is a dark, crumbly texture similar to soil. Certain materials like meat, dairy, oils, and pet waste should not be composted.