Eco- Friendly Compost

     Eco-Friendly composting is considered to be organic. Composting is the purposeful biodegradation of organic matter. This includes yard and food waste. The decomposition is completed by micro-organisms, mostly bacteria, but also yeast and fungi. In low temperatures, macro-organisms like, ants, nematodes, isopods, and earthworms enhance decomposition. The solider fly, fruit flies, and fungus gnats also take part in the wide range of organisms in the decomposer community.

     There are two types of composting, biodegradable and compostable materials.

     • A biodegradable material is broken down under the action of organisms. And reduced to biomass, CO2, and water. At times, it takes a very long time for materials to biodegrade. This based upon the environment (is the area arid or wet?) but in the end, the material breaks down completely.

     • A compostable material biodegrades substantially under specific composting conditions. Instead of being broken down through macro-organisms (as in biodegrading), it is metabolized by microorganisms. This means that the organisms can be converted into humus. The size of the material is a large factor when deciding whether or not the material is capable of creating compost. Mechanical particle size reduction can speed up the process. Large pieces of hardwood may not be compostable under a specific set of composting conditions, although sawdust of the same type of wood may be. Some biodegradable materials are only compostable under very specific conditions, usually with an industrial process.

     Organic compost can be used in organic gardening. Organic gardening, also referred to as organic horticulture, is the science of growing produce such as fruits and vegetables, as well as flowers and ornamental plants. Organic gardening follows the essential principals of organic agriculture, which includes soil building, conservation, pest management, and heirloom variety preservation.

     Organic gardening relies on crop rotation, green manure, compost, biological pest control, and mechanical cultivation. This maintains soil productivity and controls pests. Organic gardening excludes the use of synthetic fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, plant growth regulators; livestock feed additives, and genetically modified organisms.

     "Organic agriculture is a production system that sustains the health of soils, ecosystems and people. It relies on ecological processes, biodiversity and cycles adapted to local conditions, rather than the use of inputs with adverse effects. Organic agriculture combines tradition, innovation and science to benefit the shared environment and promote fair relationships and a good quality of life for all involved."—International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements