The marvel of composting

stanleh

I got a bin and started composting about 8 months ago (in the middle of winter).  For the longest time I dumped things in and never paid any attention.  For the past month or so, I am totally amazed by what is going on in that bin.  Every time I open the lid, it sounds like something is percolating in there.  I can see so many little critters and in some respects I'm skeeved out but I find that I can't stop watching it. 

I need to add more browns as it's too wet in there but other than that, I am so amazed.

Suggestions for browns?  I have been putting in tp and paper towel rolls, used tissues, qtips, hair, brown bags.  I'm hesitant to use newspaper until I find out what the ink is derived from as well as regular paper (that's been printed on).

Thanks!
Heather

greengirl09

Besides the browns you have listed, you can add leaves and small twigs.  I read somewhere that if you cut grass and then let it dry before adding it that it will count as a brown.  I just moved into my house so I've got lots of cardboard available.  You just have to shred cardboard as thin as possible, otherwise it takes forever for it to break down.

Ridgebackmom

**new here***

 For a second, I was excited to start composting. But just the thought of having to take care of it and keep it from animals etc scares me. I want to compost so badly but getting my fam to recycle sometimes is hard enough!! Keep inspiring me!

stanleh

It was a process to get my husband in to it all but he is doing so well.  We keep a small steel container next to the kitchen sink to put all the kitchen scraps in and I still keep an eye on him just in case, but for the most part, he is good about getting all the appropriate scraps in the container.  Now, he won't take it out and dump it in the compost bin but hey, atleast he's on board with me.  We keep our recycle bin in our garage which is right next to the kitchen so that helps as well.  Usually everthing piles up next to the sink after it's rinsed and then I take it out.

Soon I plan to take my kids ( 4 1/2 y/o and 3 y/o) out to see all the stuff in the compost bin.  I'm waiting for it to percolate a little more.

Good luck!
Heather

Chris71678

I went to a composting workshop a month or so ago, and the speaker suggested using shredded junk mail (as long as the paper wasn't glossy) if you need more dry/brown waste. And honestly who doesn't get a ton of junk mail that needs to be shredded and then disposed of?

SuperGreen

It is nifty, isn't it?  As far as browns, leaves are excellent, and dried cut grass, twigs, and brown paper.  We shred the paper bags from the liquor store, and the paper bags from storing mushrooms in the fridge (that's the best way to store them).

VanessaOSU

In terms of the question about newspaper ink.  You can compost the non glossy pages, the ink used on newspaper is soy based.  The glossy pages have all sort of chemicals you don't want to put into the compost.