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.

1. HOW TO COMPOST

2. Compost comes from the latin word “compositus” which Means to put together.

3. Why compost? It´s an easy way to recycle your kitchen and yard wastes It´s environmentally friendly, the amount of methane Produced is very low Compost is a nutrient filled food product which will help Improve your soil structure Compost improves your soils condition and your plants And flowers will love it. It helps reduce landfill wastes

4. A good compost is formed by 3 componants: AIR: The composting microbes will not do their work without It. There should be plenty of air passageways throughout Your heap. Your pile will stink without it. Water: Too much water will slow the process down and make It stink. The ideal is like a wrung-out sponge Food: - Browns: Provide Carbondioxide - Greens: Provide Nitrogine

5. Green food that we compost: FRUIT RAW VEGETABLES COFFEE AND TEA BAGS BREAD GREEN GRASS AND WEED

6. Browns that we compost: Hay Dry leaves Saw dust Kitchen paper Newspaper and normal paper

7. What not to compost: MEAT AND FISH MILK PRODUCTS OIL CITRUS COOKED FOOD, HUMAN AND PET WASTES, PERNICIOUS WEEDS

8. Composting steps: Step 1: Establish a compost bin. The ideal Spot is a sunny one and on the bare ground.

9. Step 2: Start placing the first compost layer. It is good to start off with a carbon Layer.

10. Step 3: Alternate layers, one green(nitrogen) And one brown (carbon), about 15cm each. Leave the heap in this State for about 3 to 4 weeks without turning it but Keeping it moist.

11. Step 4: Time to do the first turn which will Give you an idea of how its going.

12. Tips: If you see that the heaps is too moist Add more brown products -If you see that it is too dry add more Green products -The ideal is that compost heap is like a Wrung-out sponge -Temperature when composting is of 70 degrees, when heap is ready it is of The same outside temperature -Turn heap every 1 to 2 weeks

13. Step 5: After about 2 to 4 months of turning Your compost heap should be ready

14. How do you know its ready? The temperature should be no longer hot, if It´s close to outside temperature its ideal -Through its aspect, it should have a dark Brown colour, with a crumbly texture When all the materials are no longer Recognisable.