Frequently Asked Questions

Q:What is composting?

A: Composting is the natural process of turning various organic materials into a substance called humus. It is an excellent nutrient-rich soil amendment. Compost also makes an excellent fertilizer or mulch; if you make it yourself, you won't have to purchase things like fertilizer and mulch for the garden. One of the most valuable aspects of composting is that it is a form of recycling that effectively keeps many common garbage items (food scraps, for example) out of the landfill.

Q: What is the environmental impact of organic waste recycling?

A: What are the benefits of composting?

• Its recycles what the Earth has provided to produce more local food. Using a nutrient rich, organic soil produces healthier, nutrient full foods! In a time when healthy food isn’t economically accessible to all income ranges, we want to support our urban farms that make it accessible.

•  Composting eliminates up to 1/3 of the waste previously thrown into landfills.

• Using compost adds to and rebuilds the integrity of soil and in turn reduces dangerous runoff into our river systems.  In the Washington DC Metro area this is a very important issue as the sewer system is combined with the strom water system resulting in overflow events where residential waste from garbage disposals and sewage overflow into the Anacostia River.
  

•  Working outside with your compost or urban farm, or being a part of a building with a common initiative, creates opportunity to meet with neighbors and build community.

All in all, you support local food, healthier eating habits, care for the Earth, care for humanity, and community development. Your actions are visible today by the compost we produce and will be visible in the future. 



Q: How will diverting my food scraps save money?

 A:Less food scraps in the trash can save you money in several ways:

• Avoided purchase costs through food waste prevention strategies.
• Smaller garbage bills by less frequent trash collection for commercial generators.
• Eliminate purchase of commercial soil restoration amendments and chemical additives by applying all natural compost soil amendments on-site landscaping.