Composting
Composting Basics
What is Composting?
Composting is combining a mixture that consists largely of decomposed organic matter to use for fertilizing and conditioning of land.
Why We Should Care
In an ongoing effort to reduce waste in our households, an area we cannot ignore is food waste. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 66 million tons of food is wasted annually, and over 60% is sent to landfills. We can do our part and start composting at our homes in either a composter unit or a simple pile.
Recipe for Compost
3 Parts Brown Materials
To Produce Carbon
1 Part Green Materials
To Produce Nitrogen
Water
To Help Breakdown Organic Materials
Air
To Help Breakdown Organic Mateials
List of Materials
Brown Materials
Dead Leaves
Twigs
Sawdust
Coffee Filters
Stale Bread
Crumpled/Shredded Paper
Cardboard
Newspapers
Green Materials
Fruits Peels/Rinds
Grass Clippings
Vegetable Scraps
Tea & Coffee Grounds
Egg Shells
Water
Keep your compost moist, but not too wet. Your compost should be kept as moist as a wrung-out sponge.
Do Not Compost
Dairy Products
Diseased Plants
Pet Waste
Red Meat or Fish
Plants with Chemicals
Bones
Oil & Fats
Glossy Paper
Metal
Glass
Coal/Ash
Printable PDF Infographic
Curbside Compost Service
There are curbside services available to Boone County residents in the Whitestown and Zionsville area.
Additional Resources for Composting:
