Earthcycle - Products




	Products Palm Fiber Packaging Certifications Compost Your Earthcycle		Compost Your Earthcycle Packaging View of Earthcycle Packaging decomposing in your compost bin. Composting - The controlled biological decomposition of organic matter (such as food scraps, yard trimmings and Earthcycle Packaging) in the presence of oxygen into a humus or soil-like material, which is used as a natural fertilizer and to improve soil structure. Earthcycle’s Easy and Efficient Disposal Options Home Composting • The easiest method of disposing– throw it in your backyard or balcony composter Curbside Organic Collection Programs • Classified as “food waste” and can be included in Curbside Programs for Organic Waste. • In 2002, there were 8,875 Curbside Pick-up Programs throughout the US* Retailer Managed Compost Return and Pick-up • A growing number of retailers have their own composting programs • Whole Foods– 48 out of 162 stores are composting, producing 65,000 tons/year+ of humus • Ralphs’ and Vons also have supermarket diversion programs for composting Source: State of Garbage Survey, BioCycle Journal of Compsting. Not all take food residuals Source: “Composting at the World’s Largest Natural Foods Supermarket Chain”, Biocycle, November 2004 Why Compost? • Compost is one of nature’s best mulches & soil amendments • Compost can be used instead of commercial fertilizers • Compost is cheap • Compost improves soil structure, texture, aeration and increases the soils water- holding capacity • Compost naturally produces nitrogen, potassium & phosphorus by feeding off micro-organisms The Composting Three-Step 1. Materials Always feed your bin equal amounts of GREENS (materials high in nitrogen) and BROWNS (materials high in carbon). When adding new materials to your bin, start with a layer of BROWNS, then add a layer of GREENS. Top GREENS with a 2-3 cm (1”) layer of soil or finished compost. Always dig your food scraps in the centre of the pile, under the other materials. Earthcycle Packaging is considered part of the BROWNS component. 2. Moisture Keep your pile as damp as a well-wrung sponge. Check moisture on hot summer or windy days. Sprinkle with water when dry. 3. Air Add air to your pile every two-to-three weeks. Poke holes through with a broom handle and loosen with a garden fork. The Composting Three-Step was created by the City of Toronto and posted here with their permission. Tips for your compost • Add large amounts at one time • Turn your mix regularly (at least once per month) • Keep mix covered to keep in heat • Ensure the pile remains damp, but not saturated • Bury food residuals to keep bugs away • Speed up process by adding nitrogen rich materials like farmyard manure. • Do not add dog or cat droppings • Leave the compost heap for 6 – 12 months, to ensure great compost • Try having two bins, one with finished product, and the other as a ‘work in progress Composting Links The Natural Way, The Composting Council of Canada Compost Guide – A complete guide to composting Composting Basics from The City of Toronto Urban Home Composting, by City Farmer, Canada's Office of Urban Agriculture California Integrated Waste Management’s Home Composting information Mastercomposter.com - a comprehensive collection of composting resources Home Composting: A Guide to Composting Yard and Food Wastes, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Cornell Composting – a variety of composing educational materials and programs developed by the Cornell Waste Management Institute at Cornell University