By Madhavi Pothukuchi
June 5, 2022
Every time we talk of conservation, the focus is usually on what countries and world leaders need to do. But we can protect the environment on a personal level too with another form of conservation - composting. So, today, on World Environment Day, let’s learn how to make our own compost bin.
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Composting is a great and easy way to recycle any organic waste, like food scraps, vegetable and fruit leaves, and paper. It helps reduce your carbon footprint and prevents waste from ending up in landfills. It’s the best fertilizer for your plants.
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You will need the following materials: A large plastic container A large safety pin or knife Shredded newspaper Common soil Dried leaves Food scraps from your kitchen Water
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Take the plastic container and make some holes into it with an adult's assistance. Make about 8-10 small holes in the bottom and a few on the side to allow air to enter the container and help decompose all the organic waste inside.
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Place the shredded paper at the bottom till it fills the container 1/4th way up. Then add the soil till the container is half full. Top it off with some dried leaves to prevent it from smelling too much.
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Now get any food scraps like fruit and vegetable peels, spoilt food, egg shells, coffee grounds and tea leaves. Add these into the compost bin and give it a good shake or mix it up with a stick. Do not add any bones, meat, oily or dairy products.
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Spray the waste with some water to moisten and cover it up. Every 4-5 days thereon, stir the mixture up and spray it with water to aid the decomposition process. Add in any organic waste every day, as the previous waste breaks down and decomposes.
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In about a month, you will have your fully organic compost ready. You will notice that all the waste has decomposed and mixed and become soil rich in nutrients. Now, you can feed your plants good fertilizers and feel happy to help the planet!
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