Learn How Composting Benefits the Environment.
Today, greenhouse gas emissions are a major environmental concern. Most people are aware of how vehicular emissions or certain air conditioner coolants etc. produce greenhouse gases that are extremely detrimental to the environment. But very few are aware that organic matter too can produce greenhouse gases and affect the environment significantly.
How landfills contribute to greenhouse emissions
When organic matter decomposes in the landfills, it produces the greenhouse gas methane. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, methane is 70 times more effective in holding radiant heat compared to carbon dioxide. The result is that today, landfills have grown into the third largest human-based source of greenhouse gases in America. The one way to mitigate this threat is to compost organic materials as it:
Transforms methane into a potent soil enhancer that is effective in replenishing depleted soils.
Can effectively replace synthetic fertilizers
Protects against soil erosion
Helps retain water
Environmental benefits
Composting human-produced organic matter protects water, air and soil quality. There are a number of environmental benefits to composting such as:
- When food scraps are composted, that produces a nutrient-rich soil which is needed to maintain productive and healthy farm fields
- Composting directly reduces CO2 (carbon dioxide) and various other strong greenhouse gases, like N2O (nitrous oxide) and CH4 (methane).
Composting is an extremely effective method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. As mentioned at the outset, most people believe that disposing of paper products and food scraps into the landfill is the responsible thing to do and that it doesn’t harm the environment in any way. But the fact is that when these materials break down eventually, they begin to rot without oxygen and contribute considerably to greenhouse gas emissions.
Whenever any food remnants are discarded in a landfill, the material degrades and forms methane. It’s a fact that certain landfills try to collect that methane with the purpose of using it as energy. However, numerous studies have indicated that most of the methane gas that comes from landfills escapes into the air before it can be captured.
In the best of conditions, only about 46% of the methane is captured; and today, landfills are the one of the largest human source of methane emissions across the globe. Even at landfills where advanced technology is used, most of the methane that comes from landfills gets released into the atmosphere.
Benefits of composting for fields
Composting helps improve soil quality and reduces the need for pesticides and chemical fertilizers. When synthetic nitrogen is applied to fields, it contributes considerably to nitrous oxide emissions; this is a very powerful greenhouse gas. However, when compost is used in fields, it reduces the use of synthetic nitrogen as well as other strong pesticides and fertilizers. In this context, when compost is used:
- It improves the workability of the soil, resulting in reduced fuel consumption to till the soils
- It allows the soil to sequester or hold carbon dioxide
- Revitalizes and replenishes exhausted farm soils
- Reduces soil erosion
- Prevents storm water runoff
As you can see, there are a number of benefits to composting and every property owner, commercial and residential should consider setting up a compost pit on their property. If you don’t have a yard or have very limited space, curbside composting is an ideal option. Businesses such as grocers and restaurants can opt for compost collection to do their bit for the environment.
If you want to know more about How Composting can be beneficial for you yard or for any other Landscaping service, feel free to call us on 210 765-8667. You can also fill in the contact us form or email us at nadia@dnslandscaping.net