Compost Catalyst

The New York Times recently reported a story by Malia Wollan about San Francisco's tough recycling laws. Amazingly the state has started fining those who do not adhere to their strict recycling laws by fining residents or business owners of up to $1,000 but the best part is that these laws now include composting.

YEA SAN FRANCISCO!!!

    "The city already diverts 72 percent of the 2.1 million tons of waste it's residents produce each year away from landfills and into recycling and composting programs."

The goal for this inspiring city is to send zero waste to landfills by 2020. Three bins will help the city manage it's goal with help from it's citizens by issuing three bins: one for recycling, one for trash and the new GREEN one for compost.

I remember doing an interview with John Bradford last year where he said "There are two simple things that every citizen in the world can do to make a difference, and that's recycle your plastics, and compost."

He went on to explain that by doing this we close the loop by reusing our packaging,  and replenishing our land with the nutrients it needs to grow nutrient rich foods.  Composting is easy for anyone to do- but just like developing a discipline for recycling can's and bottles- it's now adding that new action into your routine each day. 

Our family keeps our composting bin by the sink. Instead of throwing our veggie peels, and fruit cores and rinds into the sink or trash it goes into the compost bucket and the kids take turns walking it out to the compost pile in the yard at the end of each day or every couple of days.  It's a matter of being conscious as you run through your meal routine that is likely on auto pilot.

Here are a few recommendations to get started:

• Kids are great team players - so enroll their help telling them about composting and it's benefits to the planet. They also make great police so if you want someone to remind you when you go to throw those egg shells in the trash, they can blow the whistle until everyone gets in the habit.
• Make a list of all the items that can be composted- or an image of the veggie or fruit or shell and stick it on the fridge for everyone to reference
• Invest in a compost bucket or ceramic urn with a lid- you can check out other options here.
• If you want additional facts on how to compost or why it's so beneficial you can look here. 
• If you want more info specifically geared toward kids you can go here.