A Zero Waste essential: Composting

I have to say, I procrastinated writing this article for about a year now. I might run a Zero Waste household but I do not consider myself an expert on composting (nor "the priestess of Zero Waste" by the way). So many generations adopted it well before I ever even heard about it, I would not dare write about it with authority. I did not grow up with it either: Although my dad composted his grass clippings, he would burn any other yard refuse in a large metal drum every so often.

That said, rotting is now a key component of our lifestyle. Composting processes those items that cannot be refused, reduced, reused or recycled, and I have more faith in Composting than Recycling (my reservations explained in this archive). The life cycle of what I put in my compost bin is a certainty: Rot then dirt - but that of my plastic recycling is not: Decking? bench? toothbrush? or landfill? definitely landfill in the end...So, with limited knowledge on the subject, all I can offer is my personal experience with our tried and true composting systems (in the Northern Californian weather).

We have embraced composting in three different ways. We started with an Aerobic compost, we then added a worm composting bin and lately we have adopted the city compost. We eventually chose the last two, as we felt that we could not just choose one and give up the advantages of the other.

All three composting options accepted: fruit and veggie scraps, tea and coffee grounds, nut shells, dust, lint, hair (human or animal), cardboard, newspaper, and washed crushed eggshells. But their added possibilities differed. Here is how they compared:

Homemade Aerobic Compost (in wire mesh)

CONS: Finding an aesthetically adequate spot in your yard can be tricky. Kitchen scraps like meat, fat, fish, dairy products, grains or bones should not be added to the pile, as they are likely to attract small furry critters. It will also not process large branches, for which we still had to rely on the city yard waste pick up.

PROS: It is free (if, like us, you already have a piece of fence), or very cheap to set up (check out Craigslist for fence pieces) and it processes small yard waste like twigs and leaves, and wax paper.

Worm Compost (Can O'Worms)

CONS: It too cannot process the kitchen scraps (other than fruit and veggie scraps), mentioned above . The worms also do not like citrus (bummer when you squeeze your orange juice each week) or any yard waste. And even if it is made of 100% recycled plastic, it's still plastic.

PROS: Its big advantage is (1) the liquid fertilizer (i.e., compost tea) conveniently dispensed through a spigot, (2) the well contained, easily accessible supply of compost for your plants and (3) the supply of worms always on hand for those who like to fish for food.

City Compost

The fact that the compost is taken away from your property can be an advantage for those who do not have a use for it, but an inconvenience for those who do.

CONS: The cost of pick up (which in our town is bundled with recycling and trash) and the added footprint of transporting your food bits.

PROS: It allows for composting all food scraps, meat and fish (including bones and shellfish), food soiled paper or cardboard (but we rarely do), along with yard waste, and the compostable goods mentioned above.

The city picks up compostable plastics that are clearly labeled, but they will not accept biodegradable plastics, as "they biodegrade at different temperatures than organic materials and therefore don't compost well together" (says my compost hauler). Also, these plastics can't be distinguished from other plastics during processing. So it is best to just stay away from them altogether. Mostly sold in the form of disposable products, they can easily be avoided with reusables.

And although the City compost's "digestibility" seems limitless, it cannot accept the obvious: Aluminum foil or trays, "biodegradable" plastic, ceramic dishware or glassware, flower pots or trays (they must get those often to make of point of it), foil-backed or plastic-backed paper, rocks or stone, but also the less obvious: clothing and linens, cooking oil, corks, animal waste, dirt, or wax cardboard. Wax paper was accepted at first but no longer is, probably a result of people throwing the plastic coated paper instead of the waxed kind, in their city bin. They are hard to tell apart.

Note: We looked into the Cone back when we were shopping around our options, before we even considered aiming at Zero Waste. The required location did not work for us. But you might want to consider it, since it processes meat, fish and dairy. For those who live in cold conditions and/or who do not get city compost, NatureMill makes a great under counter composter. Even though it requires electricity to run, it accepts meat and is an all-in-one machine (no receptacles needed here).

Whatever system you end up choosing, the most important part of composting is collecting compostable material. Obviously without it, your composting system is worthless ;)

I have found that the receptacle makes it a success for the whole family if:

• It is large enough: As I mentioned in a previous posting, our compost bin used to be our trash bin. A large container will reduce the number of trips to your composter. Any container will do. You do not need to purchase a carbon top receptacle (the filter needs to be replaced and your money can be better spent elsewhere). Compost does not smell. We empty ours once a week and during that time it just does not have time to decompose to a stinky point (we freeze meat and fish scraps until pick up day).
• It is aesthetically pleasing: Many drop the idea of composting because they can't stand the idea (and I don't blame them) of having a "dirty" container on their counters, as most receptacles are advertised. But who said the container had to be displayed on your counter? We would never think of putting our soiled trash cans on our counters. Ironic when you realize that the soiling icky bits stuck to the outside of trash cans are compostable. Under your sink is even better. Out of site, but not out of mind, if its large. Apply rule #1 first.
• It is easily accessible: In a slide out tray under the sink, our receptacle is within easy reach where we process most of our veggie/fruit scraps. We wash the veggies at the sink, and then peel straight into the bin. Since we use the City compost, this location is also convenient to discarding table scrapings that Zizou will not eat, before loading the dishwasher - he loves Brussels sprouts, but not avocado !?:)

And if you are still grossed out by the ICKY factor, get over it. Compost is ODORLESS and natural, it's dirt at its conception stage. What's REALLY gross is the piles of plastic washing off on our beaches (more on that in a couple of weeks).

I am so glad I have this article out of me! My procrastination is over. I can now move on to better things, like fertilizing my plant wall with worm tea;)

Is Zero Waste realistic for your household?

Last week, I received a note from someone who labelled our lifestyle "unrealistic". Hmmm. If we are living it, doesn't it make this lifestyle realistic?

I think that comments like this, are simply generated by action paralysis that people suffer when faced with the brutal reality of our current "state of affairs".

Isn't it rather unrealistic to think that we can keep living wasteful lives?

Or maybe negative thinkers simply don't know how to get started. I hear many excuses as to why Zero Waste seems un-achievable: "I don't have bulk in my town", "I am too busy" (which really means: "I can't be bothered"), "It's too expensive" and "It's too extreme for me"... OK, I agree with the last bit. The "Zero" part of this concept sounds extreme and scary. If five years ago, I had read about a Zero Waste family, I would have probably thought: "These people are nuts, seems like a great idea, but too far out of my zone."

But is Zero Waste really achieving NO trash all? Not in my book. Zero Waste is an ATTEMPT to get as close to it as you possibly can. I did not invent that term (nor the title of this blog), it's been used for decades (since the 60's). And it's nothing unheard of in the manufacturing industry. From Automotive to Fashion, countless companies are aiming towards this goal.

Undeniably, until it becomes common practice, even our household will generate more than Zero trash.

Don't let action paralysis take over your household, waste reducing is not about dwelling on the current state of affairs, but rather finding joy and energy in our future's potential. Remembering where I was five years ago, accepting that I am not perfect and knowing that I try my best, keeps me from dwelling on the negative and helps me deal with the site of unnecessary disposable bags and cups still being dispensed at the store... Believe in the power of your smallest actions inspiring others. Living by example is the cure to sadness.

So how do you get started on your journey towards Zero Waste?

• Get past the pre-conceptions: Read the article Zero Waste Lifestyle: Time and Money Consuming? If my household was able to work on it for the past two years, with both Scott and I involved in start-up businesses (and with very little money coming in), I believe anyone can get started. Don't have much time in your hands? Take it one room at time, one day/week/month at a time. Actively working on it, at your own pace, is what really matters. Any small change makes a big difference.
• Get past the obvious road blocks: You do not have bulk in your town? Ask for it and start by tackling your everyday disposables. Coffee cups, grocery bags, produce bags, paper towels, trash bags, plastic baggies, single use plates and flatware, water bottles are all easily avoided with little getting used to and their use often replaced by items you already have, no matter where you live.
• Don't get overwhelmed by the changes that you need to adopt, but rather embrace the excitement of trying out alternatives. Who knows what you might discover. It will be different for everyone. For my part, I never expected to eat healthier, save money, have more time for my family and volunteering, find more meaning in religious faith, increase my tolerance for others, learn how to forage, experiment with a multitude of crafts (paper, soap, candles, etc...), make due with the available bulk at my local grocery store, discover a fantastic and supportive community through this blog... and simplify my life! Not this bullet point though;)
• Don't let others put you down and tell you that what you do, does not matter. You know that it does, and deep down, so do they. Just be prepared for criticism and irony. Some say our household doesn't do enough (because we are carnivores, travel to France, do not have a veggie garden, or buy toothbrushes from Australia...), others say we do too much (they call our lifestyle un-realistic, extreme or obsessive...). What I say is, we must be doing something right then ;)
• Zero Waste is like exercising, take it easy on yourself, you'll be more likely to stick with it. If you can find yogurt in a reusable/returnable container then why make it? I tried moss for TP, but finding TP rolls wrapped in paper worked out better. I washed my hair with baking soda and vinegar, but the frizz and smell of vinaigrette were not worth it to me - when solid shampoos and bulk options are available.
• When in doubt, always practice the obvious: REFUSE - REDUCE - REUSE - RECYCLE - ROT (next article's subject) and in order!

And most importantly, find comfort in knowing that you are not alone. Please share with us your joys and troubles...

Welcome Sunset Readers!

Thanks for visiting the blog and thanks for all your encouraging words!

You have given me renewed energy to keep this blog going.

I had taken a break from writing about my zero waste life as I just wanted to simply LIVE it for a while ;) but I just can't help working on a few articles, addressing the questions that you have sent my way. And I look forward to sharing again.

Stay Tuned and Happy New Year! If you have not yet done so, may you discover the blessings of a life with less in 2011.

(For those who have asked for it, here is a link to the Sunset article)