By: Vicki Duong

Summer’s just around the corner and you know what that means – barbeques, family gatherings, picnics, beach parties, and even more barbeques! This is the time of year that all your good dishware and silverware stay in their cupboards and drawers and you utilize nothing but disposable plates and cutlery. But did you ever consider how much waste that adds up at all the landfills? So many plastic utensils end up piling up landfills and aren’t being recycled, because who would even think to recycle that? A better alternative that does the job and is good for the environment that’s now catching on in the market is biodegradable cutlery.

Made from corn starch and other biodegradable “plastic” fillers, eco-friendly utensils are on the rise in popularity. Contrary to belief, they will not fall apart on you if you use them in hot items like soups, and they will not break if you use them in cold foods or desserts like ice cream. Biodegradable utensils work like their normal plastic counterparts; the only difference is that they won’t pile up in landfills and can even be used in your compost bins.

For the avid gardener who likes to compost, these eco-friendly utensils can be highly beneficial to your garden. After you’re done using these utensils, toss them into your compost bin or heap instead of the trash can. In most cases, the packaging that the utensils come in is also biodegradable, which means you can add that into your compost bin, too.

Since they’re made out of corn starch and other eco-friendly materials, these biodegradable utensils will not harm your compost heap, adding to your nutrient-rich compost. Do keep in mind that if you plan to toss these utensils into your compost bin that it can take anywhere from six to 18 months for them to fully decompose.

So the next time you’re planning your big summer barbeque or food outing, consider using the eco-friendly alternative versus the regular plastic ware. Not only would you be reducing waste at landfills and giving back to the earth’s soil, you’ll feel good knowing that you’re doing your part to protect the earth while enjoying the barbeque.

By: Paul Hata

Composting is not entirely limited to a small scale. Industrial techniques abound in as much as residential modes of composting are often appraised and praised for its convenience and simplicity.

There are industrial techniques that are larger counterparts of the simple residential techniques, while others employ technology and other methods unknown the the novices of composting. Whichever the method chosen, industrial composting is definitely operating on a large scale and may help a lot of production involving healthy soil.

1.ASP Method

ASP or Aerated Static Pile method of composting has both active and passive elements to it. The heap is placed on holed pipings that allow circulation without having to manipulate or turn the entire compost heap, as in other industrial composting techniques.It completely relies on air for the bulk of the operation, and is extremely helpful for making sure that the passive and active elements are both in play.

2.High Fiber Method

Wales invented this high fiber method of industrial composting and with great success so far. It involves rigorous stirring and even distribution of materials all throughout the pile. And then the aeration and surface area of the entire compost pile will improve with this symmetry. The compost pile consists of cardboard, newspapers and other forms of used paper.

It is also well-suited for household composting but then it is currently being performed on a laboratory in Wales for further monitoring. This solution was offered as a way of helping reduce pressure in waste landfills. If paper products are used as a material for composting, excluding the poisonous risk of colored ink, it really has a high potential of success.

3.In-Vessel Method

The in-vessel method, as suggested by its name, involves closed reactors. This is synonymous to closed bin composting method in residential scale, but instead of small bins, we are talking of metal tanks or concrete containers that are herculean in size. As a result, factors such as flow of air and temperature are controlled more effectively.

Some companies also put additional cover layers atop the metal tank or enclosed composting container to ensure complete isolation from external elements. Ventilation and insect infestation are often controlled by layering, constant cleaning and additional aeration processes on the affected layers.

4.MBS Method

MBS is the acronym for mechanical biological treatment system. It is a facility that helps sort materials using the composting technique. The scientific term for composting, in this case, is anaerobic digestion. This has instant practical applications in helping sort waste from residential abodes as opposed to industrial wastes which may be more hazardous and larger in number. This waste management technique is praised for its ability to help ensure biological safety of the environment.

5.Sheet Composting Method

The heap is often the method used for composting, but in the case of sheet composting, it the organix materials are placed directly on the soil you are intending to fertilize. Then it functions as a mulch when it decays there. The common materials used here are alfalfa and mustard. But the only downside is that it can rob off the nitrogen in the soil.

But adding green manure crops like clover can help sustain the lagging nitrogen supply in the roots. Most of the supporters of sheet composting claim that in the long run, this is more effective and able to retain more minerals in the soil than other techniques.

By: Vicki Duong

Composting can be a lot of fun for anyone, from avid gardeners to novices alike. But one of the misconstrued beliefs that arise when people think of composting is that it’s the result of smelly garbage that hasn’t been properly disposed of, which in turn is a recipe for pests and all sorts of other trouble. This myth is exactly that, a myth! Contrary to popular belief, composting is an organic process that creates nutrient rich soil, popularly known as black gold, from leftover food scraps and yard waste. If done properly, your compost should not emit a foul odor, but rather a fresh, earthy smell.

To ensure that you will have a successful compost heap and experience, here are a few things to keep in mind before you begin:

Assuming you live in a city or municipality that does not allow open compost heaps, go ahead and invest in a compost bin or compost tumbler. Having one place to add all your organic matter in to will make the composting process much easier, and in most cases will keep the process on a regularly consistent decomposing speed.

The next step is to start collecting organic matter to place into your compost bin. Food scraps such as cut up pieces of fruit rinds, cabbage leaves, vegetable stalks and coffee grounds make for great composting. Coffee grounds are especially excellent for the composting process because they act as activators, which create heat for your compost pile. Just remember to never add meat and dairy products, bones, fats and oils to your compost; these products won’t decompose properly, smell foul after a couple hours, and attract pests. Yard waste such as non-diseased weeds and plants, grass clippings and leaves are essential for your compost since they’re rich in nitrogen.

To nip the problem of pests, rodents and other wildlife rummaging around in your compost right in the butt, here are a few tips to keep in mind. Generally, animals are attracted by the smell of meat, dairy products and fatty foods; adding these items is like giving an open invitation for wildlife to invade your compost. In addition, you should always be sure to have a tight fitting lid on your bin or tumbler so that none of your compost is exposed.

If done correctly, your finished product should smell earthy and not putrid. Once you have enough organic matter, it’s time to add this rich, black gold into your garden’s soil to prolong a fruitful life for your garden. Remember, it’s all a trial and error process, so be sure to have fun!

Discus Ted asked:


In a leaflet I received there was a small compost bin/bucket that can be used for kitchen waste including fish and meat. I thought this would be a good idea as I never put meat, fish or cooked food on the general compost heap.

If you use, or have used, what is your opinion please?

Caroline asked:


We’ve got a normal compost heap, but I am thinking of getting a wormery. Any links, tips, ideas, info welcome. Thanks.