Composting is one of the best forms of waste disposal. Even though it may be impossible to compost all of your waste, it can reduce your overall waste significantly. Some of the best wastes to compost include:
- Paper production waste
- Scouring waste
- Brewery waste
- Water-based glue
- Water-based inks
- Garden waste
When you throw these wastes away, they decompose in landfills and release the greenhouse gas methane gas. Even though many landfills can capture most of the methane, it is much better to eliminate it at the source.
Compost is great for use in gardens. Some of its benefits to soil include the following:
- Nourishing the Soil
Compost is rich in nutrients. When placed on existing soil, it can add nitrogen, carbon, and other nutrients. The nutrients are necessary for photosynthesis and plant growth. Adding compost to soil may help it retain water.
- Filtering and Revitalizing the Local Water Sources
Compost holds five to 20 times its weight in water. Adding it to your soil increases the water that can penetrate your soil significantly. This is great for both plants and local water sources. The water seeps down to the impervious rock layer. It can swell and replenish the local lakes, springs, and ponds. The water gets filtered by moving the rock layers, soil, and compost. An average of 40% of rainfall comes from local sources. Composting your local waste may have a major impact on the rainfall usage in your area.
- Introducing New Organisms to Soil
Composting your company waste may help introduce protozoa, bacteria, and fungi to the soil. The microorganism aerates the soil. They can repel certain plant diseases and convert nitrogen into its usable form.
- Cleaner Oceans
All water makes its way into the ocean and the ability of compost to filter water that penetrates the ground may contribute to cleaner oceans. Acidifying fertilizers can be harsh, and they are some of the biggest pollutants. Compost reduces the water run-of that may push those chemicals into the ocean.
- Reducing Landfill Waste
Do not assume that your company’s organic waste will just decompose when disposed of in a landfill. Even though organic matter decomposes in the end, it may require a lot of time. After decomposing, the nutrients go to waste. If you use composting as a form of waste disposal, the compost can be put to good use.
- Controlling Erosion
Compost may be great for controlling soil erosion because of its amazing water-retention ability. Erosion and pollution are the main reasons the earth has lost one third of its farmable land in the past few decades. Erosion is mostly caused by excess water. When water cannot penetrate the ground, it builds up on the surface and flows down lower points taking some of the top soil with it. Compost is like a sponge that absorbs the water.
If you need help disposing of your company’s waste, you may need the services of Oates Environmental. The company will help you dispose of all types of waste safely.