Researchers have long warned of the importance of changing our production and consumption habits for more sustainable growth on the planet. In Brazil, this issue is so necessary that the Federal Government has already implemented National Solid Waste Policy, which addresses, among others, organic waste, considered one of our biggest villains. According to data from Brazilian Association of Public Cleaning and Special Waste Companies (Abrelpe), Brazil produces almost 37 million tons of this waste per year, which could turn into biofuel and energy through industrial processes, but only 1% is reused. So how can we, as consumers, help reduce this equation? The answer is simple: through composting.
A new destination for your trash
It is a fact that many people - and perhaps you are one of them - have already adopted healthy practices to make better use of food, such as the preparation of the necessary quantity for each meal and good conservation practices, with the use of Alpfilm Ziplock. But, even so, we discard husks, seeds, bagasse and other food scraps that are not usually used in recipes. These residues, in turn, are taken to landfills or dumps and, when decomposed, release methane gas, which aggravates the greenhouse effect and, consequently, global warming. In addition, they generate leachate, a dark liquid with an unpleasant odor and bacteria that can contaminate soils and waters.
Because of this, the reuse of waste is undoubtedly the best option. And this can be done through composting, a low-cost process capable of transforming the organic waste we produce daily into fertilizer, making the decomposition of food healthy for the environment.
What are the benefits of composting?
This is a sustainable technique for recycling organic waste because the husks, seeds and other discarded parts of food contain a series of nutrients that, in the composting, are transferred to land. Thus, the soil becomes rich and more suitable for the growth of new plants.
It also provides other benefits, such as fire prevention and, in turn, air pollution; improving drainage in clay soils and water retention in sandy soils; and reducing the need to use herbicides and pesticides.
Now that you know how important it is to reuse organic waste, let's teach you how to develop, step by step, a recycling system. composting fast and efficient.
How to do composting homemade:
1. Separate the materials
To perform the composting, you will need dry land - it can be the same one you use in plant pots -, in addition to coffee grounds, manure and (of course!) residues. The ratio of dry matter to organic matter is 2 to 1.
To store all this, we recommend a composter. If you don't have one, use a very firm plastic container with a wide opening and lid (like an organizer box). It will only be necessary to drill a few holes in the bottom of the box in order to allow the exchange of gases.
2. Put it all together
And distribute it in layers! First, place the dry soil, covering the entire bottom. Then, deposit the chopped residues into small pieces, to make the process faster and more effective. Then, add a little manure, which contains desirable microorganisms to the process by speeding up the decomposition of the waste.
Finally, add the coffee grounds: it avoids the bad smell and keeps flies, ants and other unwanted animals away. After all the layers are done, just cover the container and go to the next step of the composting.
3. Follow
It is very important that, every 3 days, you turn the mixture a little, in order to aerate the earth and avoid the accumulation of gases, facilitating the process of composting. It is also essential to observe if there is any liquid leaking. If this is the case, the proportion of the materials must be readjusted, adding more dry soil. The process is completed when it becomes more homogeneous and dark, with an earthy smell and aspect.
Essential tip!
To guarantee the success of composting, be careful with the selected foods. Fruit or egg shells, seeds, overdone fruits and bread crumbs are some examples of welcome foods.
Foods of animal origin or that have undergone some artificial process, such as cooking or frying, should not be added. This is because they can generate a very strong smell and, because they are rich in fat, make the decomposition process more difficult.
Now that you have figured out how to make your own compost by using composting, how about learning to make a mini-garden in your home, completing the cycle of sustainable production and consumption? Read our matter and understand more about the topic.