Nothing is more sustainable than composting! Compost is nature’s way of providing our planet with the essential microbial regeneration it needs to thrive. Compost is made from decomposed organic matter such as food scraps and paper, along with water and oxygen.

Globally, 40% of food produced is thrown away and sent to the landfill. There it decomposes without oxygen (anaerobically) and creates methane gas which ends up in our atmosphere. Eighty-four times more harmful than carbon dioxide, methane is quick to retain the sun’s heat and greatly contributes to global warming.

Composting helps this problem by recycling food scraps into enriched nutrients for soil. When applied to the garden or landscape, it not only helps plants grow organically with high nutritional value and retains soil moisture, but it also sequesters excess carbon from the atmosphere! Yes, composting can save the world! BUT humans need to be part of this solution.

EUSD students have diverted over 6 tons of lunch waste from the landfill through composting at schools this year! Your family can do it too!

Try out this simple activity to introduce composting to your family. You can even take it one step further by creating a composting system for your household.