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02-23-15 Agenda, Packet & Committee Meeting Notice
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02-23-15 Agenda, Packet & Committee Meeting Notice
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City Council - City Clerk
City Council - Document Type
Agendas
City Counci - Date
2/23/2015
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INDIANA DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT <br />Backyard Composting <br />988 -7901 (317)232 -8172 www.idem.IN.aov 100 N. <br />Description <br />What is composting? <br />• Composting is the aerobic, oxygen- requiring, decomposition of organic materials by <br />microorganisms. <br />• Bacteria start the process and are responsible for much of the decomposition work. Fungi, <br />protozoans, earthworms, centipedes, beetles and millipedes assist in breaking down the plant <br />tissues. <br />• During composting, the microorganisms consume organic matter and oxygen. Their metabolism <br />gives off heat and gas, and results in a significant reduction in volume and mass of the organic <br />materials. <br />What Can I Compost? <br />• All yard trimmings can be used for composting. However, the use of treated yard debris or <br />diseased or infested plants is not recommended. <br />• Yard trimmings such as leaves, grass clippings, weeds, thatch and the remains of garden plants <br />make excellent compost. <br />• Other desirable additions to a compost pile include ground brush and kitchen scraps such as fruit <br />and vegetable peelings, eggshells and coffee grounds that would otherwise be thrown in the <br />garbage. <br />• Care must be taken when composting kitchen scraps. Do not compost meat, bones and fatty <br />foods such as cheese, salad dressing and cooking oil. These foods ferment or putrefy, <br />causing odors that can attract rodents and other pests. Only experts in composting should <br />attempt to compost these materials. <br />Environmental Impacts: <br />How Does Composting Help the Environment? <br />• Yard trimmings and kitchen scraps use up valuable space in landfills. <br />• Organic materials make up 10 to 20 % of all household wastes. Because of their high moisture <br />content, grass clippings also lower the efficiency of incineration systems. <br />• Compost added to the garden improves soil structure, texture, aeration and water retention. <br />• When mixed with compost, clay soils are loosened and the water retention of sandy soils <br />improves. <br />• Mixing compost with soil also contributes to erosion control, soil fertility, proper pH balance and <br />healthy root development in plants. <br />• The use of compost can also reduce the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in your yard. <br />IDEM's Role: <br />• The Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) is responsible for protecting <br />human health and the environment while providing for safe industrial, agricultural, commercial, <br />and governmental operations vital to a prosperous economy. <br />• IDEM's Office of Land Quality registers or permits large scale composting operations. Backyard <br />composting is encouraged by IDEM's Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance as <br />an alternative to wasting valuable resources. <br />Citizen's Role: <br />What are the benefits of backyard composting? <br />IDEM Office of Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance <br />
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