Community Composting

Education Station #7

Community composting is a model of composting that sources organic materials locally and engages the community in composting for the benefit of the collective. Our food scraps are sourced by Food2Soil, and we produce compost to support OVGG and community member’s gardens.

Composting uses naturally occurring bacteria and fungi to break down food scraps into a nutrient rich amendment that can be added to your garden. Food scraps provide nitrogen, yard waste and brown papers provide carbon, we turn the compost to add oxygen and we add water to help speed along the natural decomposition process.

Community Composting Model

Imagine a neighborhood in a mid-sized city where residents, local businesses, and a community garden collaborate to create a community composting program. Here’s how it works:

1. Collection & Drop-Off

Residents collect their food scraps (fruits, vegetables, coffee grounds, eggshells) in small compost bins at home.
Local restaurants and cafés separate compostable food waste instead of throwing it in the trash.
Every week, participants bring their organic waste to a designated composting site, such as a local park or community garden. Some neighborhoods may offer curbside pickup for households that subscribe to the service.

2. Composting Process

Volunteers or a small team manage compost bins or piles, ensuring they have the right mix of greens (food scraps) and browns (leaves, shredded paper).
The compost is regularly turned to promote oxygen flow, helping microbes break down waste efficiently.
In a few months, the food waste transforms into nutrient-rich compost.

3. Using the Finished Compost

The finished compost is used in the community garden, helping grow fresh fruits and vegetables for local families.
Some compost is made available to residents for their home gardens.
Local schools and environmental groups use the site for education, teaching kids about sustainability and soil health.

4. Community Benefits

Waste Reduction: Less organic waste goes to landfills, cutting down on methane emissions.
Stronger Community Ties: Neighbors, local businesses, and gardeners work together on a shared sustainability goal.
Healthier Local Food: Community gardens thrive with natural compost, reducing the need for chemical fertilizers.
Educational Opportunities: Schools and organizations can use the program to teach about composting, sustainability, and food systems.

How does Composting work?

Why Soil Microbes Are Essential for Composting and Plant Growth

In Composting:

Soil microbes, like bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in breaking down organic waste and turning it into compost. They are essential because:

They decompose organic matter – Microbes feed on food scraps, leaves, and yard waste, breaking them down into smaller, simpler materials that become compost.
They generate heat – As microbes break down waste, they produce heat, which helps kill harmful bacteria and weed seeds, making the compost safe to use.
They release essential nutrients – Microbes transform organic materials into key nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, which plants need to grow.
They maintain a healthy compost pile – By keeping the process aerobic (oxygen-rich), microbes prevent bad odors and stop the pile from becoming a smelly, rotting mess.

Without microbes, organic waste would take much longer to break down, and compost wouldn’t form properly.

In Plant Growth:

Making nutrients available – Many nutrients in soil are locked up in complex forms that plants can't absorb. Microbes break them down into simpler forms, like turning nitrogen into ammonium or nitrate, which plants can easily use.
Improving soil structure – Microbes help create small air pockets in the soil, which improves water retention and allows roots to grow more easily.
Protecting plants from disease – Beneficial microbes outcompete harmful bacteria and fungi, reducing the risk of plant diseases.
Forming partnerships with roots – Some microbes, like mycorrhizal fungi, attach to plant roots and help them absorb water and nutrients more efficiently.

The Problem with Food Waste

In the U.S., about 133 billion pounds of food are wasted each year, making up nearly 24% of landfill waste. Food waste contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, but composting helps mitigate this by repurposing organic materials into valuable soil amendments.

The Composting Process

To successfully compost, four key elements are required:

Organic Matter – Food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, and other biodegradable materials.
Microorganisms – Bacteria and fungi break down organic materials.
Water – Proper moisture levels aid decomposition.
Oxygen – Airflow speeds up the process and prevents foul odors.

Microorganisms consume organic waste, breaking it down into essential nutrients like nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which enrich the soil.

Home vs. Commercial Composting

Home Composting – Uses backyard bins, tumblers, or piles to break down organic waste like food scraps, leaves, and paper products. Some materials, like meat and dairy, decompose slowly and may attract pests.
Commercial Composting – Large-scale facilities create optimal conditions to process a wider range of materials, including bones, dairy, compostable food packaging, and even compostable utensils.

What Can Be Composted?

Common Items: Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, paper products, yard waste.
Uncommon Items: Hair, nut shells, wine corks, natural fiber fabrics, and pet bedding from herbivores.
Commercially Compostable Items: Meat, dairy, food oils, compostable diapers, and food packaging.

Environmental Benefits of Composting

Reducing landfill waste and greenhouse gas emissions.
Compost enriches soil and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. Compost improves soil health by improving soil structure, adding nutrients plants need to grow, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, and building the soil ecosystem. The addition of compost brings beneficial bacteria, which are essential to helping plants access those nutrients.
Improves water retention and quality.
Supports biodiversity by fostering healthy soil ecosystems.