Why is Compost Sustainable?
Why is Compost Sustainable?
While there are multiple definitions as to what exactly sustainability is, most can agree that sustainability is about preparing for our future by caring for our present. UCLA Sustainability's article, What is Sustainability? gives a few definitions as to what sustainability is:
UN World Commission on Environment and Development: “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”
In the charter for the UCLA Sustainability Committee, “the integration of environmental health, social equity and economic vitality in order to create thriving, healthy, diverse and resilient communities for this generation and generations to come. The practice of sustainability recognizes how these issues are interconnected and requires a systems approach and an acknowledgement of complexity.”
While both definitions are different, they both strive for a better future for our children, and an even better world for our grandchildren.
In layman's terms, composting is sustainable because it reduces the amount of trash being buried into the ground in landfills. By reducing the amount of waste that is going into the landfills, not only will the need for so many landfills decrease, but at the same time, crops will benefit from the added nutrients they will be getting from the compost. Composting is what most people would call a "win-win", good for the crops we eat and good for the environment!
Composting on a smaller scale, such as a backyard garden, is also considered sustainable. Creating a compost bin in your home will not only supply nutrients for your plants (thus cutting costs for chemical-based fertilizers), but will also cut back on the amount of food waste produced in your home. By composting, not only will you realize how much food you actually throw away in your home, but the hope is to also be more conscious of the fact and allow composting to put what you would normally be throwing away to good use.