Did you know that food is the #1 least recycled of all waste materials? Food will decompose by itself, however it’s one of the largest components in our landfills today, resulting of nearly 50% of all solid waste. These landfills produce methane which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Eventually these toxic chemicals make their way into our air and our drinking water.
Eco York would like to propose a challenge to our readers. Eliminate an extra can of trash that you throw away a week. We’re here to tell you a couple of ways to eliminate some of the items you may be putting in your trash cans each week, and turn them into a useful product (mulch for your garden).
Composting is an excellent way to eliminate some of the trash you throw away each week, and create a fertilizer that will help you grow vegetables in the spring. By composting you will not only be creating an excellent source of nutrients for your garden / yard, but you’ll be eliminating unnecessary items from making it to the landfills.
There are a number of items you can compost.
Here’s a brief listing of them:
Kleanex Tissues
Paper Towels
Paper napkins
Lint from behind refrigerator (or pocket lint)
Grass clippings
Hair clippings
Tea bags and grounds
Shredded newspapers
Egg shells
Q-tips (cotton swabs: cardboard, not plastic sticks)
Stale potato chips
Old leather gardening gloves
Nut shells
Apple cores
Banana peels
Brown paper bags
Vacuum cleaner bag contents
Ivory soap scraps
Spoiled canned fruits and vegetables
Produce trimmings from grocery store
Cardboard cereal boxes (shredded)
Grocery receipts
As you can see there is a huge list of items that normally may make it into your garbage can. I’m sure even half of these items would help you eliminate one can a week. So instead of throwing these away, compost and breathe easier knowing you’re helping the environment and living a greener life.
Your partner in living a greener life,
Mark Lane
President Eco York, LLC
