5 Reasons to start composting today

At Dust&Glow, we love composting and want to help more people start composting at home. There are many misconceptions about composting, such as it being difficult or smelly, but the truth is that composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce waste, enrich soil, and support sustainable living. 

Composting is one of the easiest and most effective ways to reduce waste, enrich soil, and support sustainable living. At Dust&Glow, we are committed to providing eco-friendly and sustainable beauty products, including our award winning waterless powders, certified home compostable refills and konjac sponges.

As part of our mission to promote sustainability, we want to share with you the top five reasons to compost, along with tips on how to compost, what to compost, and information about our Certified Home Compostable refill pouches.

Misconceptions About Composting

Before we dive into the top five reasons to compost, let's clear up some misconceptions. Many people believe that composting is difficult, time-consuming, or smelly. However, with the right approach, composting can be simple and odor-free. Some people also believe that they need a large yard or outdoor space to compost, but that's not necessarily true. There are many ways to compost in small spaces, such as with indoor composting bins or worm composting.

1- Composting Reduces Waste

Did you know that up to 30% of household waste can be composted? By composting, you can reduce the amount of waste you send to landfill, which can help to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. When organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, is sent to landfill, it breaks down anaerobically, which produces methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Methane is much more harmful to the environment than carbon dioxide, and landfills are a significant source of methane emissions.

Composting reduces the amount of organic waste that ends up in landfill, which can help to reduce methane emissions. Composting is a natural process that breaks down organic matter, such as food scraps and yard waste, into nutrient-rich soil amendment. Compost can be used to fertilize plants, gardens, and farms, which can help to reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers and promote sustainable agriculture.

2- Composting Enriches Soil

Composting is a great way to enrich your soil with nutrients. Compost is a natural fertilizer that is rich in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. These nutrients are essential for healthy plant growth. When you add compost to your soil, you are improving its structure and fertility, which can lead to healthier, more productive plants.

Compost also helps to improve soil health by increasing its water-holding capacity, reducing erosion, and promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. These microorganisms help to break down organic matter, making nutrients available to plants, and improving soil structure. Composting is a simple and effective way to improve the health and productivity of your soil.

3- Composting Reduces the Need for Synthetic Fertilizers

Synthetic fertilizers are often used to add nutrients to soil. However, they can be harmful to the environment. Synthetic fertilizers can leach into groundwater and surface water, polluting streams, lakes, and rivers. They can also contribute to the growth of harmful algal blooms, which can deplete oxygen levels in water and harm fish and other aquatic life.

Composting is a natural and sustainable alternative to synthetic fertilizers. Compost is rich in nutrients, and it improves soil health, which can lead to healthier, more productive plants. When you use compost instead of synthetic fertilizers, you are reducing the risk of water pollution and supporting sustainable agriculture.

4- Composting is Easy

Composting is easier than you might think. All you need is a compost bin, a shovel, and some organic waste.

The first step is to choose a composting method that works for you. There are many different ways to compost, such as with a compost bin, a tumbler, Bokashi or worm composting. 

•  A compost bin is a stationary container that allows for aerobic composting, meaning that oxygen is needed for the decomposition process.
• A tumbler is a container that can be rotated to mix and aerate the compost. This method is more efficient than a compost bin because it speeds up the decomposition process.
• Bokashi composting:  this method involves using a special mix of microorganisms, called Bokashi bran, to ferment organic waste in an airtight container. The fermentation process breaks down the waste into a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used in the garden or added to a traditional compost bin or tumbler.
• Worm composting, also known as vermicomposting, involves using worms to break down organic material into compost. This method is great for small spaces and indoor composting, as the worms can be kept in a bin or container. 

Once you've chosen a method, you'll need to start collecting compostable materials, such as food scraps, yard waste, and paper products. It's important to maintain the right balance of green (nitrogen-rich) and brown (carbon-rich) materials in your compost pile or bin. You can also add items like shredded newspaper or dry leaves to help balance the mixture.

You can compost fruit and vegetable scraps, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, and yard waste. Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oily foods, as these can attract pests and take longer to break down.

5 - Certified Home Compostable Refill Pouches

We are proud to offer Certified Home Compostable refill pouches for all our waterless powder concentrates. These pouches are made from plant-based materials and are certified to break down in home composting systems. By using our Certified Home Compostable pouches, you can help reduce waste and support sustainable beauty. Please make sure you cut your refill pouch into small pieces before adding onto your compost bin.

Did you know that our natural Konjac sponges can also be added onto your compost bin? 

Composting is a simple yet effective way to reduce waste, enrich soil, and support sustainable living. By composting at home, we can divert organic waste from landfills, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and create a nutrient-rich soil amendment that can be used to nourish our gardens and landscapes. We hope that this blog has inspired you to start composting at home. 

By taking small steps towards a more sustainable future, we all have the powder to make a difference.