Five Benefits of Composting Your Food Waste

Dinner features Five Courses Perfectly Paired with Highly Acclaimed Wines of the World

Posted date: October 05, 2015
Composter

Did you know the average person throws away approximately 20 pounds of food waste every month? A great way to reduce your landfill contribution and create your own nutrient rich soil is by composting at home.

Through Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Green Works initiative, City of Orlando residents can receive a free backyard home composter.

Composting is the process of turning kitchen and yard waste into usable, nutrient rich soil through natural decomposition.

Here are five benefits of composting:

Reduces Your Landfill Contribution
Composting diverts food and yard waste from the landfill, and instead uses that waste to make nutrient rich soil. Twenty-four percent of the municipal solid waste stream is comprised of food waste and yard trimmings. Inside the composter, this waste is broken down.

Creates Rich Soil
Composting creates soil in organic matter that can be used in your yard and garden. The soil helps retain nutrients, moisture and air for the betterment of plants.

Suppresses Plant Diseases and Pests
Research shows that soil treated with compost tends to produce plants with fewer pest problems. Plants are like people; healthy plants develop the ability to fight off illness. Compost gives plants the nutrients and beneficial microbes they need to fight off disease. Compost also helps to control diseases and insects that might otherwise overrun regular soil.

Saves Water
Compost helps soak up water, slowly releasing it to plants. Compost can act as a natural evaporation barrier for your garden, helping it retain water and reduce the need to water. With enough compost in your soil, you will not have to water your plants as much, saving on your water bill.

Saves You Money
By reducing the need for commercial soil conditioners and fertilizers, composting saves you money.

http://www.cityoforlando.net/blog/five-benefits-of-composting-your-food-waste/