Organic Solutions: Composting
For some, composting evokes ideas of smelly backyards and unsavory aesthetics, but these negative impressions are mainly of poorly maintained compost piles. When properly taken care of, compost piles are a gardener’s “black gold.” And the good news is that Fishers Island has its own community compost station for community members to contribute their organic waste and purchase compost! So why do we like composting? There are so many reasons!
Fishers Island does not maintain a landfill - so all the trash on the island is transported to the mainland.
Trash is Costly
Everything we throw out on Fishers Island must be transported off the island to a landfill - this is a costly process. 28% of household waste comprises compostable food and garden waste [1]. This waste that would otherwise rot in a landfill could be transformed on the island into a sustainable fertilizer for the community at a far lower cost.
Greenhouse Gasses
No matter where the food and garden waste ends up, it must decompose. There are two ways this can happen with oxygen (aerobically) and without oxygen (anaerobically). Composting encourages aerobic decomposition, allowing organic refuse to develop into a nutrient-rich dirt-like substance.
Landfills force organic waste to decompose anaerobically - this process creates biogas comprised of 50% methane and 50% carbon dioxide [2]. Both of these gases are dangerous because of their effect on the atmosphere. Although carbon dioxide receives a lot of attention as a greenhouse gas, methane is 25-36 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. Even with methane capture systems that landfills usually have, they are the third highest producer of human-caused methane emissions.
Composting can help to prevent this biogas by diverting organic waste into aerobic decomposition. San Francisco has diverted over 80% of their organic waste to compost since 2012, which has prevented 90,000 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions [1]. That is equivalent to taking 20,000 gas-powered passenger vehicles off the road!
Better Soil and Less Erosion
Compost is a slow-release fertilizer that adds nutrients to your lawn and gardens. It primarily contains nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium. In contrast to quick-release and other chemical fertilizers, compost does not just add nutrients to your lawn and garden; it improves the overall quality of the soil. The organic matter integrates into the soil and increases its productivity and water retention capacity - with a one percent increase in soil organic matter, the soil retains 20,000 more gallons of water per acre [3].
With healthier soil that retains water more effectively, your land is more resilient to storms and other adverse events that could increase the erosion rate on your property.
Convinced? Great! Here is what you need.
Every compost pile needs “Greens” and “Browns.” Greens contribute nitrogen to the decomposition process; these are fresh organic materials like grass clippings and food scraps. Browns contribute carbon; these are brown plant materials such as dead leaves, branches, and paper.
The Fishers Island Waste Management site is an excellent resource for anyone looking to contribute organic material to the community compost pile. If you want to start your own pile, check out the EPA’s website here!
