Compost

Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants (waste) of organic matter.



Given enough time, all biodegradable material will compost, and the primary objective in the modern push to compost is to capture readily degradable materials so they do not enter landfills. However, most small-scale domestic systems will not reach sufficiently high temperatures to kill pathogens and weed seeds or deter vermin, so pet droppings, scraps of meat, and dairy products are often best left to operators of high-rate, thermophilic composting systems. Hobby animal manure (horses, goats), vegetable kitchen and garden waste are nevertheless all excellent raw material for home composting. Early roots of composting as a treatment for municipal solid waste were spurred by awareness of the trash crisis as early as the 1950s, and the rise worldwide of large MSW composting plants in the 1960s into the 1970s was virtually unregulated. Public outcry in Europe against contamination of soils on farms and vineyards from MSW compost containing residues of plastic, metals and glass triggered a shakeup of the industry, and in the 1980s a phasing out of MSW composting.

composting all your organic waste from home, school, and your community, could reduce the amount of landfill and incinerator waste by almost 400 pounds per year, save 4/27 cubic yards of landfill space, 48/25 kwh of energy, 4,023/3,125,000 tons of, 5,364/28,625 gallons of oil, a 1,287,360/229 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 3/6,250 ounces of a year, 96 kilograms of limestone, 4,023/2,500,000 tons of air pollution per year, 4,023/57,250 tons of greenhouse gases, 192/125 gallons of /pounds of coal, 384/3,125 pounds of fly ash, 48/175 pounds of , $1,383.80.

one ton of compost could save 22/13 tons of waste, 1,056/65 kwh of energy, 1,056/455 pounds of ,

Food
composting one ton of food could save 450,000/13 gallons of

Beef
composting one ton of beef could save a 18,750 cubic meter lake, 6,250,000 kwh of energy, 33,525/8 tons of, a 4,190,625/1,832 cubic meter container of oil, 25/32 tons of a year, 2,500 tons of coal, a 100,575/64 cubic meter tank of gasoline, a over 13,125/8 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 1,000 pounds of brine, 3,125/7 tons of /, enough energy to power a CFL for 96,875/292 years, $750,000.00

composting one metric ton of beef could save 221/10 metric tons of, 17,680 square meters of natural habitat potential, 1326/25 metric tons of life, 221/30 metric tons of fossil fuels, 221/60 metric tons of carbon monoxide, 3,757/6,000 metric tons of solid particles, 221/300 metric tons of nitrogen oxide

Beer
composting one gallon of beer could save a 45/256 cubic meter lake, 1,875/32 kwh of energy, 4,023/102,400 tons of, 15/64 ounces of a year, 4,023/1,024 gallons of gasoline, 375/224 metric tons of , 375/8 pounds of coal, a over 63/4,096 cubic meter lake from being polluted, enough energy to power a CFL for 149,504/465 years

composting one barrel of beer could save a 45/8 cubic meter lake, 1,875 kwh of energy, 4,023/3,200 tons of, 167,625/916 gallons of oil, 15/2 ounces of a year, 502,875/7,328 tons of greenhouse gases, 4,023/32 gallons of gasoline, 375/7 metric tons of , 75/64 tons of coal, a over 1,575/2,048 cubic meter lake and 167,625/229 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power a CFL for 465/4,672 years, $225.00

composting one cubic meter container of beer could save a 375/8 cubic meter lake, 15,625 kwh of energy, 1,341/128 tons of, 1,396,875/916 gallons of oil, 125/32 pounds of a year, 4,190,625/7,328 tons of greenhouse gases, a 4,023/1,024 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 3,125/7 metric tons of , 25/4 tons of coal, a over 525/128 cubic meter lake and 1,396,875/229 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power a CFL for 3,875/4,672 years, $1,875.00

composting one bottle of beer could save 65 gallons of, 325/4 kwh of energy, 29,055/3,664 gallons of oil, 13/40 ounces of a year, 17,433/3,200 gallons of gasoline, 65/28 metric tons of , 65 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 403/93,440 years, $9.75

Latte/Coffee
composting one latte could save 53 gallons of, 265/4 kwh of energy, 23,691/3,664 gallons of oil, 53/3,200 pounds of a year, a 44,420,625/229 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 53/28 metric tons of , 53 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,643/467,200 years, $7.95

composting one cup of coffee could save 37 gallons of water, 185/4 kwh of energy, 16,539/3,664 gallons of oil, 37/3,200 pounds of mercury a year, 37/28 metric tons of toxic lead, 37 pounds of coal, 1 square inch of rainforest, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,147/467,200 years, $5.55

composting one gallon of coffee could save 37/16 gallons of water, 185/64 kwh of energy, 16,539/58,624 gallons of oil, 37/51,200 pounds of mercury a year, 37/448 metric tons of toxic lead, 37/16 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,147/7,475,200 years

composting one cubic meter container of coffee could save 1,850/3 gallons of water, 4,625/6 kwh of energy, 137,825/1,832 gallons of oil, 37/192 pounds of mercury a year, 925/42 metric tons of toxic lead, 1850/3 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,147/28,032 years, $92.50

composting one ton of roasted coffee could save a 18,915 cubic meter lake, 6,305,000 kwh of energy, 1,691,001/400 tons of, a 8,455,005/3,664 cubic meter container of oil, 1,261/1,600 tons of mercury a year, a 5,073,003/3,200 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 2,522 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 195,455/584 years, $756,600.00

Pasta
composting one ton of pasta could save a 1,725 cubic meter lake, 575,000 kwh of energy, 30,843/80 tons of, a 771,075/3,664 cubic meter container of oil, 575/4 pounds of a year, a 92,529/640 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 230 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 17,825/584 years, $69,000.00

Pork
composting One ton of pork could save a 4,320 cubic meter lake, 1,440,000 kwh of energy, 24,138/25 tons of, a 120,690/229 cubic meter container of oil, 360 pounds of a year, a 36,207/100 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 288,000/7 metric tons of , 576 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 5,580/73 years, $172,800.00

composting one calorie of pork could save 68 calories of fossil fuels

Chicken
composting One ton of chicken could save a 3,510 cubic meter lake, 1,170,000 kwh of energy, 156,897/200 tons of, a 784,485/1,832 cubic meter container of oil, 585/2 pounds of a year, a 470,691/1,600 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 234,000/7 metric tons of , 468 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 18,135/292 years, $140,400.00

Composting one metric ton of chicken could save 149/25 metric tons of, 4,768 square meters of natural habitat potential, 149/75 metric tons of fossil fuels, 149/150 metric tons of carbon monoxide, 1,788/125 metric tons of life, 2,533/15,000 metric tons of solid particles, 596/3 kilograms of nitrogen oxide,

Cheese
composting one ton of cheese could save a 4,500 cubic meter lake, 1,500,000 kwh of energy, 4,023/4 tons of, a 502,875/916 cubic meter container of oil, 375 pounds of a year, a 12,069/32 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 300,000/7 metric tons of , 600 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 11,625/146 years, $180,000.00

Butter
composting one ton of butter could save a 75 cubic meter lake, 25,000 kwh of energy, 1,341/80 tons of, a 33,525/3,664 cubic meter container of oil, 25/4 pounds of a year, 838,125/916 tons of greenhouse gases, a 4,023/640 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 5,000/7 metric tons of , 10 tons of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 775/584 years, $3,000.00

Tomatos
composting one ton of tomatos could save a 165 cubic meter lake, 55,000 kwh of energy, 14,751/400 tons of, a 73755/3,664 cubic meter container of oil, 55/4 pounds of a year, 1,843,875/916 tons of greenhouse gases, a 44,253/3,200 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 11,000/7 metric tons of , 22 tons of coal, 34,375/6 tons of waste, 343,750/81 cubic yards of landfill space, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,705/584 years, $6,600.00

Tofu
composting one ton of tofu could save a 1,830 cubic meter lake, 610,000 kwh of energy, 81,801/200 tons of, a 409,005/1,832 cubic meter container of oil, a 1,786,048,035 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 305/2 pounds of a year, a 245,403/1,600 cubic meter tank of gasoline, 122,000/7 metric tons of , 244 tons of coal, 190,625/3 tons of waste, enough energy to power a CFL for 9,455/292 years, $73,200.00

Egg
composting One egg could save 23 gallons of, 115/4 kwh of energy, 23/3,200 pounds of a year, 10,281/3,664 gallons of oil, 23/28 metric tons of , 23 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 713/467,200 years, $3.45

Apple
composting One apple could save 18 gallons of, 45/2 kwh of energy, 4,023/1,832 gallons of oil, 9/100 ounces of a year, a 15,086,250/229 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 12,069/8,000 gallons of gasoline, 9/14 metric tons of , 18 pounds of coal, 45/14 pounds of , enough energy to power a CFL for 279/4,480 weeks, $2.70

Orange
composting One orange could save 13 gallons of, 65/4 kwh of energy, 5,811/3,664 gallons of oil, 13/200 ounces of a year, 13/28 metric tons of , 13 pounds of coal, 65/28 pounds of , enough energy to power a CFL for 403/467,200 years, $1.95

Bread
composting one slice of bread could save 11 gallons of, 55/4 kwh of energy, 4,917/3,664 gallons of oil, 11/200 ounces of a year, 11/28 metric tons of , 11 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 341/8,960 weeks, $1.65

Wine
composting One glass of wine could save 63 gallons of, 315/4 kwh of energy, 28,161/3,664 gallons of oil, 63/3,200 pounds of a year, 9/4 metric tons of , 63 pounds of coal, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,953/467,200 years, $9.45

Soybeans
composting one ton of soybeans could save a 1,545 cubic meter lake, 515,000 kwh of energy, a 515 cubic meter container of ethanol, 206 tons of coal, $61,800.00

Wheat
composting one ton of wheat could save a 1,035 cubic meter lake, 138 tons of coal, a 345 cubic meter container of ethanol, 345,000 kwh of energy, $41,400.00

Corn
composting one ton of corn could save a 810 cubic meter lake, 108 tons of coal, 270,000 kwh of energy, a 270 cubic meter container of ethanol, $32,400.00 - composting One bushel of corn could save 31/20 pounds of corn oil, 4,000 gallons of

Leaves
composting one ton of leaves could save 38 pounds of fine particulate matter, 26 pounds of hydrocarbons, 112 pounds of carbon monoxide, 112/297 pounds of PETN, 400 pounds of soot,

Olives
composting one ton of olives could save a 3,915 cubic meter lake, a 1,305 cubic meter container of ethanol, $156,600.00

Wheat straw
composting one ton of wheat straw could save 10 pounds of, 2 pounds of and 17 pounds of , 9/2 kwh of energy, 18/5 gallons of , 54¢

Potatoes
composting one ton of potatoes could save 130,000 gallons of, 400 pounds of starch, $19,500.00

Milk
composting one gallon of milk can save 2,000 gallons of

Ice cream
composting one gallon of ice cream can save 2,800 gallons of

Honey
composting one ton of honey can save 625/3 gallons of, 3,125/12 kwh of energy, 25/1,344 tons of , $31.25

Rice
composting one ton of rice can save 60,000 gallons of, 75,000 kwh of energy, $9,000.00

Banana
composting one banana can save 42 gallons of, 105/2 kwh of energy, 15/2 pounds of /, $6.30

Meat
composting one ton of meat can save a 18,000 cubic meter lake, 6,000,000 kwh of energy, $720,000.00

Fruit
composting one ton of fruit can save a 5,685/2 cubic meter lake, 947,500 kwh of energy, 1,895/28 tons of, $113,700.00

Tea
composting one cup of tea can save 8 gallons of, 10 kwh of energy, 10/7 pounds of , $1.20 - composting one ton of tea can save 256,000 gallons of, 320,000 kwh of energy, 160/7 tons of , $38,400.00 - composting one gallon of tea can save 128 gallons of, 160 kwh of energy, 160/7 pounds of , $19.20

Vegetables
composting one ton of vegetables can save 6,000 gallons of, 7,500 kwh of energy, $900.00

Avocado
composting one ton of avocados can save 308,000 gallons of, 385,000 kwh of energy, 55/2 tons of , $46,200.00

Coconuts
composting one ton of coconuts could save 1,100,000 gallons of, 1,375,000 kwh of energy, 1,375/14 tons of , $165,000.00

Peach
composting one ton of peaches could save 284,000 gallons of, 355,000 kwh of energy, 355/14 tons of , $42,600.00

Plums
composting one ton of plums could save 386,000 gallons of, 482,500 kwh of energy, 965/28 tons of , $57,900.00

Pineapple
composting one ton of pineapples could save 68,000 gallons of, 85,000 kwh of energy, 85/14 tons of , $10,200.00

Almond
composting one almond can save 11/10 gallons of, 11/8 kwh of energy, 11/56 pounds of

Lime
composting one lime can save 24/5 gallons of, 6 kwh of energy, 4,023/1,000,000 tons of , 6/7 pounds of , 72¢

Apricot
composting one ton of apricot can save 308,000 gallons of, 385,000 kwh of energy, 55/2 tons of , $46,200.00

Paper
composting one ton of paper could save a 105/4 cubic meter lake, 3 cubic yards of landfill space, 84 gallons of oil, 4,100 kwh of energy, a 34/2,025 acre forest, 16,523/1,168,000 metric tons or 41/25 tons of coal, enough energy to power the average home for 6 months, a CFL for 1,271/5,840 years, 587 pounds of air pollution, enough oil to run the average car for 1,260 miles or circle the globe almost 94,080 times, 54,000,000 Btu's of energy, 37/20 tons of wood, a tree that is 16,000/303 inches in diameter, a 2,520,000 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 275 pounds of, 350 pounds of limestone, 9/2 tons of steam, 63/2 tons of green house gases, 185 gallons of gasoline, 820/7 metric tons of , keep 41/40 pounds of  out of landfills a year, 336 acres of soil from being polluted, 550 pounds of , 98 tons of resources, 1,312/5 pounds of fly ash, a 3,525/1,066 cubic meter container of fossil fuels, 41/390 metric tons of , 54,981/40,000 tons of biomass, 13,889/1,500 metric tons of carbon monoxide, 13,889/7,500 metric tons of nitrogen oxide, 6,109/8,000 tons of , 360 pounds of salt cake, a 20,250/9,169 cubic meter container of propane, 76 pounds of soda ash, 41/39 metric tons of , 123/100 tons of coke, (240 - 320)/909 decibels of sound, $1,866.00 and gain 440 pounds of sludge, and almost 221/100 tons of  per year

(Over 17 trees can provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 425/24 places and absorb almost 425/24 tons of over the course of their lives, 5,312,500/2,061 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 289/96 cars for a year)

(37/20 tons of wood could save 33,300,000 BTUs of heat energy, over 12,321/34,000 tons of  a year, enough energy to power a 333/34 bedroom house for an entire year, over 209,457/3,400,000 cars for a year, $199.80 in energy)

composting one metric ton of paper could save a 12,150,000/37,843 cubic meter lake, 3/2 metric tons of greenhouse gases, 7π/5 gallons of oil, 31 trees, enough energy to power 21π/104 cars for a year, one car to travel 21π miles, a 42,000π cubic meter lake and 28π/5 acres of soil from being polluted, 1,147/340 tons of wood, 1,860 pounds of air pollution per year, 395 kilograms of methane, 163/300 metric tons of co2, 1,304/3 square meters of natural habitat potential, 163/900 metric tons of fossil fuels, 815/9 kilograms of carbon monoxide, 4,075/3,036 tons of steam, 163/125 metric tons of life, 2,771/180,000 metric tons of solid particles, 163/9 kilograms of nitrogen oxide, 163/880 metric tons of coal, almost $660.00, and gain almost 403/100 tons of oxygen per year

(1,147/340 tons of wood could save over 381.951/578,000 tons of co2 each year, enough energy to power one home for 1,147/2,040 years, 309,690/323 homes for one year, 10,323/578 bedroom house for an entire year, one home for almost 3,441/1,156 years, 381,951/578 power strips, almost $365.00)

(Over 31 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 775/24 places, And absorb almost 775/24 tons of co2 over the course of their lives, 9,687,500/2,061 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 527/96 cars for a year, one car to travel 48,437,500/687 miles.)

composting one carton of paper could save 102 gallons of, 350/229 gallons of oil, 21 pounds of co2, a 3/1,250,000 square kilometer or 2/3,375 acre forest, a 105,00,000/229 cubic meter lake and 1,400/229 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power over 357/200,000 cars for a year, one car to travel 5,250/229 miles, 111/1,700 tons of wood, 36 pounds of air pollution per year, $15.30, gain almost 156 pounds of oxygen per year

(111/1,700 tons of wood could save enough energy to power 2,997/238,000 homes, one home for 37/3,400 years, 5,994/323 homes for one year, 999/2,890 bedroom house for an entire year, one home for almost 333/5,780 years, 36,963/2,890 power strips)

(over 3/5 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 5/8 places, And absorb almost 1,250 pounds of co2 over the course of their lives, 62,500/687 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 17/160 cars for a year, one car to travel 312,500/229 miles, over $13,645.00)

composting one ream of paper could save 51/5 gallons of water, 35/229 gallons of oil, 21/10 pounds of co2, a 3/12,500,000 square kilometer or 1/16,875 Acre forest, a 1,050,000/229 cubic meter lake and 140/229 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power over 357/2,000,000 Cars for a year, one car to travel 525/229 miles, 222/17 pounds of wood, 18/5 pounds of air pollution per year, $1.53, gain almost 78/5 pounds of oxygen per year

(222/17 pounds of wood could save enough energy to power 2,997/2,380,000 homes, one home for 37/34,000 years, 2,997/1,615 homes for one year, 999/28,900 bedroom house for an entire year, one home for almost 333/57,800 years, 36,963/28,900 power strips)

(Over 3/50 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 1/16 places, And absorb almost 125 Pounds of co2 over the course of their lives, 6,250/687 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 17/1,600 Cars for a year, one car to travel 31,250/229 miles, almost $1,365.00.)

composting one sheet of paper could save 51/2,500 gallons of water, 7/22,900 gallons of oil, 21/5,000 pounds of co2, a 1/8,437,500 acre forest, a 2,100/229 cubic meter lake and 7/5,725 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power over 357/1,000,000,000 cars for a year, one car to travel 21/4,580 miles, 111/4,250 pounds of wood, enough energy to power 2,997/807,500 homes for a year, 3,996/17 btu's of energy 9/1,250 pounds of air pollution per year, gain almost 39/1,250 pounds of oxygen per year

(Over 3/25,000 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 1/8,000 Places, And absorb almost 4 ounces of co2 over the course of their lives, 25/1,374 gallons of oil, a 125,000/229 cubic meter lake from being polluted, and enough energy to power over 17/800,000 cars for a year, one car to travel 125/458 miles.)

composting one sheet of A4 paper, could save a 375/37,843 cubic meter lake, 31/200,000 trees, enough water to fill 14/3,595,085 olympic sized swimming pools, 1,147/34,000 pounds of wood, 10,323/34 BTUs of heat energy, 93/10,000 pounds of air pollution per year, over 31/100 pounds of co2, gain almost 403/10,000 pounds of oxygen per year

(Over 31/200,000 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 31/192,000 Places, And absorb almost 31/96 pounds of co2 over the course of their lives, 775/32,976 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 527/19,200,000 cars for a year, one car to travel 3,875/10,992 miles, a 494,375/687 cubic meter lake from being polluted.)

sometimes one sheet of paper saves 3 gallons of, 45¢

Newspaper
composting one ton of newspaper could save 4,000 kwh of energy, enough energy to power a 3 -bedroom house for an entire year, a TV for 31/168 weeks, and heat and air-condition the average home for almost 6 months, a CFL for 155/14 weeks, a city the size of Pittsburg for 3/1,437,500 years, 111 power strips, 71 gallons of oil, 10,200,000 BTU’s of energy, 23/5 cubic yards of landfill space, a 105/4 cubic meter lake, 37/17 tons of wood, a 1/12,500 square kilometer or 8/405 acre forest, 800/7 metric tons of toxic lead, 8/5 tons of coal, enough oil to run the average car for 1,065 miles or circle the globe almost 79,520 times, over 1,887/100,000 cars for a year, a 2,130,000 cubic meter lake from being polluted, over 222 pounds of co2 a year, 284 acres of soil from being polluted, 1,200 pounds of air pollution per year, 256 pounds of fly ash, 1,341/1,000 tons of biomass, $1,591.20, gain almost 13/5 tons of oxygen per year

(over 20 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 125/6 places, And absorb almost 125/6 tons of co2 over the course of their lives, 6,250,000/2,061 gallons of oil, and enough energy to power over 85/24 cars for a year)

(37/17 tons of wood could save 333/34 BTUs of heat energy)

composting one metric ton of newspaper could save a 1/13,500 square kilometer or 40/2,187 acre forest, 925/459 tons of wood, 16,650,000,000/459 BTUs of heat energy, over 1,369/3,468 tons of co2 each year, 5/9 tons of air pollution per year, enough energy to power 185/476 homes, over 259/3,750 cars for a year, one home for 925/2,754 years, 185,00/323 homes for one year, 9,250/867 bedroom house for an entire year, one home for almost 4,625/2,601 years, 342,250/867 power strips, over $50.00, gain almost 65/27 tons of oxygen per year

(over 500/27 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 3,125/162 places, And absorb almost 3,125/162 tons of co2 over the course of their lives, and enough energy to power over 2,125/648 cars for a year)

composting a single run of the Sunday New York Times could save a 3/10 square kilometer or 2,000/27 acre forest, a 1,968,750/17 cubic meter lake, 225,000/17 cubic yards of landfill space, a 23,625/17 cubic meter container of oil, 307,500,000/17 kwh of energy, enough energy to power the average home for 37,500/17 years, a CFL for 2,383,125/2,482 years, A city the size of Pittsburg for 369/39,100 years, 44,025/34 tons of air pollution, enough oil to run the average car for 94,500,000/17 miles or circle the globe almost 7,056,000,000/17 times, 4,050,000,000,000/17 Btu's of energy, 138,750/17 tons of wood, a tree that is 1,200,000,000/5,151 inches in diameter, $3,600,000.00, and gain 16,500/17 tons of sludge, and almost 9,750 tons of oxygen per year

(138,750/17 tons of wood could save 2,497,500,000,000/17 BTUs of heat energy, over 924,075/578 tons of co2 a year, enough energy to power 374,625/238 homes, one home for 23,125/17 years, over 36,963/136 cars for a year)

(over 75,000 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 78,125 places, And absorb almost 78,125 tons of co2 over the course of their lives, and enough energy to power over 53,125/4 cars for a year)

composting a one-foot high stack of newspapers could save 1/3 trees, 713/10 kwh of energy, 35/6 foot tree, over 81,141/40,000,000 tons of co2 a year, 37/1,020 tons of wood, a 2,139/10,000 cubic meter lake, 1,426/25 pounds of coal, 713/40,000 pounds of mercury a year, 20 pounds of air pollution per year, enough energy to power a home for 17 hours, a CFL for 22,103/5,840,000 years, and a 2,193/40,000 bedroom house for an entire year, over 6,263/18,161,559 Cars for a year, 81,141/40,000 power strips, almost $10.00, gain almost 260/3 pounds of oxygen per year.

(37/1,020 tons of wood could save over 4,107/578,000 tons of co2 a year, a 4,107/1,058,896 cubic meter container of oil)

(over 1/3 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 25/72 places, and absorb almost 25/72 tons of co2 over the course of their lives)

composting one newspaper could save 1/20 trees, over 100 pounds of co2, 3 pounds of air pollution per year, 185/17 pounds of wood, 1,665,000/17 btu's of energy, gain almost 13 pounds of oxygen per year

(over 1/20 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 5/96 places, and absorb almost 625/6 pounds of co2 over the course of their lives)

Cardboard
composting one ton of cardboard could save 9 cubic yards of landfill space, 46 gallons of oil, 390 kWh of energy, 6,600,000 Btu's of energy, 39/400 pounds of mercury a year, a 117/100 cubic meter lake, enough oil to run the average car for 690 miles or circle the globe almost 51,520 times, a 1,380,000 cubic meter lake from being polluted, 78/7 metric tons of toxic lead, 69/4 tons of green house gases, 15,801/50,000 tons of co2, 243/20 tons of solid waste, 312 pounds of coal, 184 acres of soil from being polluted, 624/25 pounds of fly ash, 104,598/23 cubic feet of natural gas, enough energy to power a CFL for 1,209/58,400 years, 1,980/19 homes for a year, a washing machine for 403/2,336,000 years, one computer for 1,209/2,336,000 years, 1,950 light bulbs each year, $157.20

composting one metric ton of cardboard could save 1 metric ton of green house gases, 14π/15 gallons of oil, 12,824π/1,341 kwh of energy, 2,857/27,561,537 metric tons of coal, 1,603π/670,500 pounds of mercury a year, a 1,603π/55,875 cubic meter lake, 1,832π/6,705 metric tons of toxic lead, 1,603π/2,500 gallons of gasoline, a 28,000π cubic meter lake and 56π/15 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power a car to travel 14π miles, 7π/52 cars for a year, almost $440.00,

Toilet paper
composting one ton of toilet paper could save a 1/12,500 square kilometer or 8/405 acre forest, a 525/17 cubic meter lake, 60/17 cubic yards of landfill space, a 63/170 cubic meter container of oil, 82,000/17 kwh of energy, enough energy to power the average home for 10/17 years, a CFL for 1,271/4,964 years, 587/1,700 tons of air pollution, 16,400/119 metric tons of toxic lead, 164/85 tons of coal, enough oil to run the average car for 25,200/17 miles or circle the globe almost 1,881,600/17 times, 10,800,000,000/17 Btu's of energy, 37/17 tons of wood, a tree that is 320,000/5,151 inches in diameter, enough water to fill 98/8,075 Olympic sized swimming pools, 6,720/17 acres of soil from being polluted, over $3,810.00, and gain 22/85 Tons of sludge, and almost 13/5 tons of oxygen per year

(37/17 tons of wood could save 333/34 BTUs of heat energy)

(Over 20 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 125/6 places, And absorb almost 125/6 tons of co2 over the course of their lives, and enough energy to power over 85/24 cars for a year.)

composting one roll of toilet paper could save a 3/7,812,500 square kilometer forest, a 63/425 cubic meter lake, 36/2,125 cubic yards of landfill space, 1,008/2,125 gallons of oil, 1,968/85 kwh of energy, enough energy to power the average home for 6/2,125 years, a CFL for 3,813/3,102,500 years, 1,761/1,062,500 tons of air pollution, enough oil to run the average car for 3,024/425 miles, 5,184,000/17 Btu's of energy, 1,776/85 pounds of wood, a tree that is 512/1,717 inches in diameter, 243/10,625 tons of waste, 4,032/2,125 acres of soil from being polluted, over $70.00, and gain 1,056/425 pounds of sludge, and almost 624/25 pounds of oxygen per year

(1,776/85 pounds of wood could save 3,196,800/17 BTUs of heat energy, over 36,963/18,062,500 tons of co2 a year, enough energy to power a 1,998/36,125 bedroom house for an entire year, over 8,629/24,804,027 cars for a year)

(Over 12/125 trees could provide new wild life habitat and shade in almost 1/10 Places, And absorb almost 200 pounds of co2 over the course of their lives, and enough energy to power over 1/17,000 cars for a year.)

Receipt
see also: Electronic receipt

composting one ton of receipts could save 1/15,000,000 trees each year, a 117/80 cubic meter container of oil, 1,139/1,000 tons of waste, 585/4 tons of green house gases, a 11,700,000 cubic meter lake from being polluted, enough oil to run the average car for 5,850 miles or circle the globe almost 436,800 times, 26,793/10,000 tons of co2, a 8,931/745 cubic meter lake, 1,135/1,350 cubic yards of landfill space, 111/850 btu's of energy, 1,560 acres of soil from being polluted, 1/15,625 ounces of air pollution per year, almost $59,231.25, gain almost 13/46,875 ounces of oxygen per year

(over 1/15,000,000 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 1/14,400,000 places, And absorb almost 1/450 ounces of co2 over the course of their lives, and enough energy to power over 17/1,440,000,000 cars for a year, one car to travel 5/32,975 miles)

composting one receipt saves 1/50,000 trees, over 1/25 pounds of co2, 12/625 ounces of air pollution per year, 37/8,500 pounds of wood, 666/17 btu's of energy, 2/687 gallons of oil, 4/33,525 ounces of mercury a year, 40/1,341 kwh of energy, 20,000/229 cubic meter lake, and 8/687 acres of soil from being polluted, 32/1,341 gallons of water, 500/229 pounds of greenhouse gases, 1/500 gallons of gasoline, 32/1,341 pounds of coal, 8/9,387 metric tons of toxic lead, 25/8,046 tons of waste, 2/1,341 metric tons of limestone, gain almost 13/2,500 pounds of oxygen per year

(over 1/50,000 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 1/48,000 places, and absorb almost 2/3 ounces of co2 over the course of their lives)

Coupon
see also: Mobile couponing

composting one coupon could save 1/262,500 trees, 37/44,625 pounds of wood, 888/119 btu's of energy, over 4/525 pounds of co2, 1/4,375 pounds of air pollution per year, 8/63 ounces of greenhouse gases, gain almost 13/13,125 pounds of oxygen per year

(over 1/262,500 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 1/252,000 places and absorb almost 8/63 ounces of co2 over the course of their lives)

Card
composting one holiday card could save 17/5,000 trees, over 34/5 pounds of co2, 51/250 pounds of air pollution per year, 6,660 btu's of energy, 37/50 pounds of wood, 6,800/1,341 kwh of energy, a 34/2,235 cubic meter lake, enough energy to power a CFL for 527/1,957,860 years, gain almost 221/250 pounds of oxygen per year,

(over 17/5,000 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 17/4,800 places and absorb almost 85/12 pounds of co2 over the course of their lives)

Ticket
see also:Electronic ticket

composting one ticket could save 51/2,500 gallons of water, 1/4,580 gallons of oil, 21/50,000 pounds of co2, a 3/6,250,000,000 square kilometer or 1/8,437,500 Acre forest, a 2,100/229 cubic meter lake and 7/5,725 acres of soil from being polluted, enough energy to power over 357/1,000,000,000 Cars for a year, one car to travel 21/4,580 miles, 111/4,250 pounds of wood, 9/1,250 pounds of air pollution per year, gain almost 39/1,250 pounds of oxygen per year (111/4,250 pounds of wood could save enough energy to power 2,997/807,500 homes for one year) (Over 3/25,000 trees could provide new wildlife habitat and shade in almost 1/8,000 places, And absorb almost 4 ounces of co2 over the course of their lives, almost $2.73.)

Microorganisms
Microorganisms play a crucial role in the composting process. Without them, organic matter simply will not decompose. With the proper mixture of water, oxygen, carbon, and nitrogen, microorganisms are allowed to break down organic matter to produce compost. Microorganisms are absolutely necessary for the composting process and without them, organic matter in your compost heap cannot undergo the composting process. There are five types of microorganisms found in active compost :
 * Bacteria- The most common of all the microorganisms found in compost.
 * Actinomycetes- Necessary for breaking down paper products such as newspaper, bark, etc.
 * Fungi- Molds and yeast help break down materials that bacteria cannot especially lignin in woody material.
 * Protozoa- Help consume bacteria and fungi, balancing out the composting cycle.
 * Rotifers- Rotifers also help break down organics in the compost and also ingest bacteria and fungi.

In addition, earth worms not only ingest partly composted material, but also continually re-create aeration and drainage tunnels as they move through the compost.

Different ways to compost...
There are different ways to compost, starting with layers of 'brown' and 'green' biodegradable waste mixed with garden soil. 'Brown' waste refers to old straw, tough vegetable stems and hedge clippings. 'Green' waste refers to biodegradable waste that breaks down faster, such as fruit, coffee grounds, cut flowers, and grass clippings.

Compostable materials

 * "Brown" waste - small twigs, dried leaves, cardboard shreds, newspaper shreds (the last two in relatively smaller amounts)
 * "Green" waste - fresh grass clippings, green plant leaves, vegetable peelings, etc.
 * Cocoa shells
 * Coffee grounds
 * Egg shells
 * Fruits and vegetables
 * Leaf mold (wet, rotting leaves)
 * Manure of herbivores
 * Spent mushroom compost
 * Tree bark (preferrably shredded)

If you are able to compost in an organized, hygienic manner at consistently high temperatures (over 160° F), then you may also compost more traditionally questionable items:
 * Humanure (human waste)
 * Dog waste
 * Cat waste
 * Animal corpses

For more information, please see Joseph Jenkins, Inc .

What Not to Compost

 * Dairy products
 * Fatty trash
 * Meat scraps such as meat bones
 * Sawdust or large amounts of wood ashes
 * Vegetable or other cooking oils