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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 1 3/25/19 3:58 PM What is Compost?

In a forest, leaves, logs, and dead animals pile up, rot, and make fertile . It happens naturally. Home composting is a way to Did you know? manage this process; either in a passive, hands-off manner, mimicking the natural Almost 20 percent of all Vermonters’ landfilled is that could process of the fores��oor; or by adding have been composted.1 inputs and turning material regularly to If thrown in the hasten the process. trash, they release , a In this booklet, we’ll describe gas at least 34 many ways to compost food times more scraps in your . There powerful than dioxide2, are a few key ingredients and a while decomposing variety of approaches to make the in the anaerobic process go smoothly. Whether you have conditions of a . never composted before, or you’re a 20-year 1. DSM Environmental Services, prepared for Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation Solid Waste composting conqueror, you’l��nd tips and Program, 2018 Vermont Waste Characterization Study: dec.vermont.gov/sites/dec/files/wmp/SolidWaste/ strategies to help you along. Documents/2018-VT-Waste-Characterization.pdf 2. Intergovernmental Panel on (IPCC) 2013 Working Group Assessment Report: climatechange2013.org/ images/uploads/WGIAR5_WGI-12Doc2b_FinalDraft_All.pdf

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 2 3/25/19 3:58 PM VerMont’S UniVerSal laW

Vermont’s Universal Recycling Law, Act 148, passed unanimously in 2012. The law changed Vermont's system in several ways, including banning all food scraps from the landfill starting July 1, 2020. This mandate refers to all Vermonters—businesses, grocery stores, schools, offices, cities, events, and residents. Backyard composting is an inexpensive, fun, and simple way to create a wonderful soil amendment for your lawn and while keeping your household in compliance with the law. This booklet will help you get started (or improve) composting in your Pro Tips backyard, but if you don’t have the space, or can’t do it for any reason, there are other options, including: SAVE YOUR LEAVES! If you compost at home, store • All Vermont’s transfer stations, bag drops, and your leaves (or your fast trashes accept food scraps, often for a fee. neighbors') in an old trash can or pile • In some parts of Vermont, food haulers will next to your backyard bin. There, they'll pick up from residences for a fee. be easy to mix in with your food scraps. • Food scraps can be dropped off at many Save leaves in bags or bins in a shed or commercial compost companies. garage for easy winter access. • Join (or start) a neighborhood community Freeze it! if you are holding onto food composting site and learn to make compost scraps to drop off together to apply on a community garden. somewhere, keep them in • Share space with a neighbor! Invite your neighbors a bag in your freezer to to join you in composting in your backyard, or see if eliminate smells. if you someone near you will let you bring your food scraps compost at home, dump to them. love having extra compost. your kitchen compost pail every 2 days and you won’t even notice it’s there! For a low maintenance system, cover your kitchen pail, dump it once a week, and wash it regularly.

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 3 3/25/19 3:58 PM getting StarteD

If you are new to composting, start with a self-assessment:

• How much SpaCe do you have? Can I compost meat?

Best practice is keep meat and bones out of • How much tiMe do you have? the compost. Doing so will keep down and wildlife at bay. You still have several options for meat and bones: • How much energy do you have? • Use a green cone (learn more at cvswmd. org/green-cones). • Drop off meat scraps at a local transfer • How much do you care about station or commercial composting producing qUality CoMpoSt facility. (versus finding a convenient way to • Bury bones in your garden by digging 18” -2’ deep and covering with soil. keep food scraps out of the trash)? • Add to trash (Act 148 does not ban meat • How will you USe the compost you scraps from the landfill for home- create? On a lawn or garden? For composters; it does for businesses). trees or shrubs? See local food scrap drop-off options at: https://anrmaps.vermont.gov/ Keep your answers to these questions in websites/Organics/default.html mind as you think about the kind of system that makes the most sense for you and your lifestyle. It doesn’t matter if you cold-compost, hot-compost, or anywhere in between, as long as it works for you!

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 4 3/25/19 3:58 PM Pro Tip

remember to remove What goes in? plU stickers, twist Carbon to ties, and elastic bands What stays out? from food scraps ratio: before composting. why it Anything that has ever been alive can be matters composted. That includes vegetable peels, grounds, leaves, egg shells, dairy, citrus peels, small sticks, Food scraps turn into leaves, wood chips, etc. Start by keeping meat scraps out of your compost because compost bin, but there are options (such as transfer station break drop-offs or a green cone) for those as well. them down. These microorganisms need What goes in? • Wood shavings the right balance of or chips nitrogen and carbon in Greens and Browns their food. "Greens" • Shredded newspaper, have lots of nitrogen “Green” ingredients are wetter and cardboard, office paper nitrogen rich, such as food scraps, and "browns" have lots grass clippings, or fresh parts. What stays out? of carbon, so to achieve the ideal Greens are: • Meat, bones, fish scraps (unless carbon to nitrogen • Fruit and vegetable scraps you are a pro) ratio, keep a stock pile • Coffee grounds and tea bags • Yard that seem diseased of dry leaves or wood • Grass and shrubbery clippings — when in doubt, leave it out shavings near your (make a separate pile away compost bin. • Green yard plant parts, such as from your garden) yard waste or weeds • Anything treated with “Brown” ingredients provide carbon. For every bucket of Add three times as many browns as • Weeds that have gone to food scraps you dump greens to your pile for a 3:1 ratio. • Pet waste, which can carry in your compost bin, add three containers of Browns are: diseases (you can use a green dry browns. The dry • Dead plants, weeds and cone for pet waste) clippings browns also help keep • Cut flowers from a florist (these the pile fluffier, which • Leaves (raked in fall) contain , which can lets more air into the • Small sticks slow or stop the composting center of the pile. 5 • Straw and hay process)

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 5 3/25/19 3:58 PM 8 Types of Compost Containers

1. The Pit 2. The Trench 3. The Trash Can 4. The Pallet Bin Dig a hole at least 1 foot deep; Same idea as The Pit, but you A great option for winter. Use a Get three loading pallets from a throw your food scraps into start by digging a trench 1-2 lidded trash bin. Drill 1” holes local warehouse or grocery it; cover with soil and you feet deep, typically within a about 12” apart evenly around store. Wire them together at the are finished. You can plant garden. Add food scraps and the bin to promote airflow. Start corners leaving one side open. on top of the compost pit cover as you go, slowly filling the bin with “browns” such as Add onto this to create a 2- or almost immediately. More info: in the trench one day at a time. leaves or wood shavings. Add 3- bin system. Line the bottom wikihow.com/Make-a-Compost- Once you’ve filled and covered food scraps and alternate with and sides of the bin with ¼” or Pit. the trench, plant or browns. Cover tightly and roll ½” hardware cloth and add a transplants directly on it. on its side weekly. If using only hardware cloth lined pallet door Pros: Easy peasy! No pile More info: instructables.com/id/ for winter, dump contents into and lid to deter animals. More turning, no need for a supply of Trench-compost. your compost bin in the spring. info: instructables.com/id/ browns. Good for small spaces, If not, continue adding material Pallet-Compost-Bin. gardeners, people who don’t like proS: Easy, perfect for until bin is full, then let sit for to manage a full pile. gardeners and small spaces; 2-3 months before harvesting. PROS: Inexpensive and easy; Cons: Must dig a new pit can continually add plants More info: thebalance.com/how- start composting right away. regularly. Digging isn’t an option throughout growing season. to-make-a-compost-bin-from- Built-in aeration due to gaps in in winter. ConS: Must dig a new trench a-garbage-can-1388581. pallet construction. regularly. Digging isn’t an option CONS: Easy access for pests in winter. Pros: Great way to compost unless using hardware cloth. in winter, easy and inexpensive. Must manage compost pile Keeps food scraps contained with adequate “browns” and before adding to a bigger pile. turn regularly to deter animals. Cons: Food scraps may not Basic steps for composting fully compost. This system may require finishing the • Food scraps go in. compost process in a regular bin or compost pile. • Add 3 times as many “browns” (, such wood shavings) as “greens” (food scraps). • Turn the pile to mix ingredients on a regular basis. • Keep the pile as damp as a freshly squeezed sponge. If it gets too dry, you can always add water.

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 6 3/25/19 3:58 PM Pro Tip

Consider combining methods to span the seasons. What works best for you in 8 Types of Compost Containers summer may not work in winter.

5. The Tumbler 6. The Multi-Bin 7. Other Store- 8. The NOT Tumblers are great for small System Bought Composters Composter: households that do not produce Use untreated lumber to make a The Green Cone much food waste, or as a first There are many styles of bins. Line two- or three-bin system. step in a compost system that open bottoms with hardware cloth. Green cones are partially buried Hemlock, locust or cedar are finishes in a bin. People love In the fall, shimmy the bin off the solar “digesters.” They do ideal. Line the interior and tumblers because they’re fully ground and pull out the hardware not make compost; materials bottom with hardware cloth to enclosed. Put your food scraps cloth. Reset the bin, add dry digest underground and keep pests out, and add a door in and turn! However, if not leaves, and shovel any fresh fertilize the soil nearby. They and lid. Plans are available at: properly managed, tumblers can scraps back in the bin. Mix the old are totally enclosed systems, cvswmd.org/home-composting be problematic. See page 12 for pile and leave it to finish breaking so animals are less attracted to them. Unlike composters, tips on successfully composting PROS: Rotating materials down. Now you have an empty bin Green Cones do not require with a tumbler. More info: through the three bins allows for the winter. TIP: Choose a style management once installed. growveg.com/guides/the-pros- for aerating and curing, and that is at least 3’ in diameter for and-cons-of-compost-tumblers. best results. leaves space for storing proS: Can add meat, fish, browns. Great for winter proS: Enclosed system deters proS: Typically easy to set up and dairy. Can be sited inside composting because of the animals. so you can start immediately. a garden to capture ample space needed when Enclosed system deters animals. generated by decomposing ConS: Can cost more than other materials freeze and food scraps. Unobtrusive, does options. Requires regular CONS: Costs don’t break down quickly. not attract animals, and does management; doesn’t always $50-100 or more ConS: Requires time to not require additional “brown” work. May need to finish at retail prices. set up and time to regularly materials. composting in a separate bin. Often don’t have manage the system. adequate aeration. ConS: Can cost more than Turning compost other options. Must be sited in can be tricky. full with well-drained soil. If using a Green Cone for all your food scraps, it will fill up quickly Pro Tip and you may need two. If used for pet waste, plan to site the Green cones need: Green Cone well away from • Full sun for at least half the day vegetable . Do not add browns to these! • Well-drained soil

Never add browns to a green cone! 7

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 7 3/25/19 3:58 PM Managing Your Compost Pile Key Compost can be managed as “hot” or “cold,” depending on Compost how much work you put into it and how quickly you want Ingredients ��nished product. For both hot and cold composting, make sure 1. Greens (nitrogen rich material to stockpile browns, such as leaves or wood like food scraps shavings. Add a watertight container next to or fresh grass your compost pile that’s just for browns. A trash clippings) can with a lid is perfect for this. You may need to dedicate a space for stockpiling extra browns, so you’ll 2. Browns (carbon always have enough for that 3:1 ratio of browns to greens. rich material like leaves, dried Hot Composting grass clippings, or If you have a lot of material (at least a 3'x3’ pile), and wood shavings) you're interested in managing your pile more intensively, 3. Air try hot composting. Start by investing in a compost thermometer with a long probe and check the temperature 4. Water regularly. If you have enough material, you will notice that Think of your the compost temperature tends to spike around 150°F and compost pile as a then starts to drop. When the temperature drops to around pet: it needs food 100°F, it’s time to turn the compost. (greens and Pro Tip When the temperature no longer browns), air, fluctuates, you can use it right away and water to If all areas of the pile have reached or let it sit in a pile (called "curing") survive. 131°F for three consecutive days, that’s for a few weeks or months. The hot hot enough for long enough to kill phase can take as little as 3-4 weeks. and weed seeds. For more info: thespruce.com/how-to- 8 hot-compost-2539474

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 8 3/25/19 3:58 PM Useful Tools Think You Are Composting? you won’t need many tools, but the following can help: Think Again. • fork or pitchfork to turn the pile. • Wheelbarrow to haul compost ingredients to and You may think you are composting when from pile and finished compost to your garden or you add food scraps and leaves into your lawn. backyard bin, but what you are really doing • Compost thermometer to check the temperature is farming microorganisms. of the pile if you are hot composting. Microorganisms such as , fungi, • Compost aerator to get more air into and actinomycetes account for most the pile. of the that takes place in compost. They are the “chemical decomposers,” because they release chemicals for decomposition and change the chemistry of organic . The larger decomposers, or macroorganisms, include Cold Composting mites, centipedes, sow bugs, snails, millipedes, springtails, spiders, slugs, beetles, ants, flies, Don’t worry if your pile doesn’t reach nematodes, flatworms, , and . an “optimal” temperature. Your food They are the “physical decomposers” because scraps will still compost, just more they chew materials into smaller pieces. slowly. Most homes won’t generate Just like you, microorganisms need food, water enough food scraps to create a pile big and air to survive and thrive. When you add enough for hot compost anyway. carbons and food scraps, you’re feeding them. When you turn your pile, you’re adding Cold composting (or “passive composting”) is slower the oxygen they need to convert than hot composting. It may take 6 months or over a food scraps into compost. If their year to get finished compost. Seeds and pathogens will environment gets too dry, they’ll not die in cold compost, so it’s important to keep weeds need water, just like you. Take and diseased plants out of the mixture when you’re good care of your adding materials to your pile. microorganisms, and you’ll have a working, -free compost system. 9

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 9 3/25/19 3:58 PM Compost: step By step

1. Decide what type of compost system you will use. Ideally, your compost bin will have an open bottom (lined with hardware cloth to keep pests out) so worms and microorganisms can easily crawl into your pile Pro Tip where they will go to work for you. If you use an enclosed bin, such as a tumbler, throw a shovelful of soil in every spring to inoculate the pile. Make a screen with lumber and 1/2” 2. Add ingredients. The following can go in your compost bin: any food hardware cloth by scraps (except meat, fish and bones), including egg shells, coffee grounds creating a square and filters, tea bags (not plastic or cloth), cheese rinds, plate scrapings, with the lumber, vegetable peelings, fruit scraps, etc; plant clippings, grass clippings (as and stapling long as there is no , or pesticides on them); small sticks the hardware or wood chips (for aeration); brown and green tree leaves; weeds and dead cloth onto it. A plants (but not diseased or bug-filled). Add 3 parts browns to 1 part greens 3'x3' size should (see page 4 for details). Avoid meats, bones, and animal fats as they can be sufficient, smell and attract pests. especially if you want to set it over a wheelbarrow. 3. Let nature take its course. The pile will gradually sink down as Sift finished stuff decomposes. Continually add new materials, covering food scraps compost through with leaves, wood shavings, shredded paper, or plant clippings to keep flies the screen, and and critters out of the pile. Mix occasionally to get air into the center of the add any materials pile. too large to get through the screen Harvest compost from the bottom of the pile. You don’t need back into your 4. to wait until the entire pile ha��nished composting. Simply take th��nished compost bin. compost from the bottom of the pile as you need it. When compost is ready it Instructions at: looks like or soil. instructables. • Optional: Screen it! If you don’t mind a few crumbled egg shells or the com/id/Compost- Screen/ occasional avocado pit, go ahead and spread your compost as soon as it is done. If you prefer a mor��nished product, take the extra step to screen. 10

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 10 3/25/19 3:58 PM How to Use Compost

• Lawn: Compost on the lawn will reduce watering needs and help prevent erosion. Apply a layer approximately 1/8"–1/4" deep. Water thoroughly. • Garden: Add compost every year before planting. Apply 2"–4" (add more for de�cient ) and turn into the soil. Compost can be used as a top dressing. • Tree and Shrubs: Before planting, dig a hole larger When is my compost than the plant base, mix compost with soil, using ready? 1 part compost to 2 parts soil. Established trees: Top dress a 2" layer 6" from base of tree with coarse When your compost is ready, it will smell compost (un-sifted) in the spring or early summer. earthy and look soil-like or loamy. You may Established shrubs/perennials: Apply a 1"–2" still see broken egg shells, small sticks, etc. layer of coarse compost around the base of plant. The more involved you are, the sooner you’ll • Potted plants: Add 1/4" to 1/3" compost to sterile have compost. With hot composting, you can soil when you repot your plants. Or top dress produce finished compost in as little as three annually, 1/4" layer o��ne compost and scratch into weeks. the potted soil. For a “cold” compost pile, expect it to take • Starter mixes: Create your own seed starter mix several months for the process to complete. using: 1 part mature sifted compost, 2 parts soil, 1 To speed things up, turn pile regularly. part , perlite, or . Remember: composting is a natural process that will happen, regardless of how involved • Cheer up wilting plants: When plants are wilting or you are. dropping leaves, surround them with compost, either in the garden or in a pot. • When Mulching: Put compost around plants before adding mulch. 11

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 11 3/25/19 3:58 PM Troubleshooting

Compost not working? Check out these common composting problems, and our simple solutions:

My compost is not heating up.

You do not have to compost with heat, but it goes faster if you do. If you’re trying out hot-composting, remember that hot compost requires volume and some work. Tumbler Tips The pile needs to be at least 3'x3' (but 4'x4' or larger works better). Add a shovelful of finished compost Alternate green and brown materials or soil to inoculate your tumbler with and mix together, then leave it alone microorganisms. If food scraps in your until the pile heats up to above 141°F. At tumbler stop composting, troubleshoot: this point, you may notice steam rising out of the • Is it wet? (Add browns) bin. Use your hand to gauge the heat level in addition to • Is it dry? (Add water) a thermometer. The heat indicates the microorganisms • Are the food scraps staying intact (not that break down materials are active. Wait for the pile to decomposing?) Add a bit of soil to cool slightly to no less than 100°F, and turn the pile. Let jump start the process. it heat again and repeat until it stops heating up.

the ideal way to use a tumbler is to combine it with a bin system. Start My compost is dry. composting food scraps in the tumbler. Grab a handful of material from your compost bin and When it fills, empty it into a compost bin, squeeze. Is it damp and holding together or dry and falling add browns, and let sit while you fill up apart? If holding together, it’s wet enough from your food your tumbler again. this method prevents pests, and provides built-in aeration as you scraps and rain. If dry, you may want to add a gallon or move the compost from tumbler to bin. two of water to keep it damp.

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 12 3/25/19 3:58 PM My compost stinks. Winter composting? No problem. Compost should not stink. If it does, it means something is not working and it’s time t��x it. Typically, a smelly Many people stop composting in the winter, bin indicates your bin has grown anaerobic, meaning but you don’t have to. Just remember these there is no oxygen allowing microorganisms to do tips and you can compost all year: their job breaking down materials. That’s when the • Think of tromping through the snow to your pile gets sloppy and smelly. It’s easy t��x. Add a compost bin as your winter exercise! Wear layer of dry browns, and use your pitchfork to mix your snowshoes, or use a sled to make it the pile together, then add a layer of leaves or more fun. wood shavings about 3"–4" thick on top. • Food scraps will freeze over the winter, so • Smelly pile and no time? If you have plan for it. Empty your bin, set up an extra neglected your compost pile and it’s gotten smelly, bin, or try trash can composting, knowing no worries! Add 4"–6" of wood shavings (not chips) that your winter food scraps will pile up. on top of the pile until you have time to deal with it. • Food scraps don’t actually compost This is a great way to cover up the smell and block in winter’s frozen conditions. You’re really pests from going in or out until you have time to turn storing materials that will begin the the pile to incorporate air and carbons (like the wood compost process as soon as winter ends. shavings). It works like magic! That’s OK. Just plan for it by starting winter with an empty or extra bin. My compost is not making compost. • Keep adding browns, even in the winter. • Your compost bin will pile high, but Look under the pile. You shoul��nd some decomposed as soon as spring comes, it will mulch-type materials and possibly even new soil. That’s reduce to less than half of compost. its original volume. At that point, add more browns My compost is attracting flies. and turn the pile, then layer even Cover kitchen scraps with leaves, or try our emergency more browns on tip: add a few inches of wood shavings on top of your pile top to kick-start the unti��ies die down, then mix the wood shavings in with composting process. your food scraps, and keep on composting. In the summer, regularly adding a 2"–3" layer of wood shavings over your

compost pile block��ies from going in or out. 13

CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 13 3/25/19 3:58 PM WhAt ABout BeArs & other aniMalS?

Vermont has seen an increase of bear-human interactions, so it’s important to take a few steps to discourage bears and to manage your compost so it doesn’t attract animals. Here’s how: • Take down your bird feeders (unless it's winter)! A bird feeder is hanging bear bait. Bears can smell bird seed from 1–2 miles away, so landscape with native plants that attract birds instead and only feed birds when there is at least 8-10" of snow on the ground. • When composting, use three times as many browns as greens. This minimizes smells and speeds up the composting process. • Regularly turn your pile so materials compost more quickly.

• Compost fresh scraps in an enclosed container Pro Tip that would be challenging for a bear to open. Tumblers Deter bears by soaking a rag in ; are especially challenging for bears to open. leave the rag in a plastic bucket next to Do not add meat scraps or bones to your compost your compost system. Bears’ sensitive • pile. You can put these items in the trash, freeze them noses will be repelled by the ammonia smell, and they will stay away. replace and bring them to a drop-off when you have enough, or every 2–3 weeks. if you are managing your bury them by pit-composting or trench-composting. pile with browns and turning it regularly, • To keep rodents and smaller animals out, and you have left the ammonia-soaked rag line your compost system with 1/4'' nearby, bears will not be interested. if a wire-mesh hardware cloth. bear comes on your property anyway, make some noise! yell or bang pots and pans (or • Keep dogs out of the bin. They both) so it has an unpleasant experience, can get very sick if they eat making it less likely to return. decomposing food scraps.

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 14 3/25/19 3:58 PM Got bears anyway? • Check with your neighbors. Is anyone leaving out birdseed or other treats for bears? Minimizing bear-human interactions saves bears' lives and makes human lives safer, but everyone needs to work together. One person attracting a bear with birdseed can bring a bear into an entire neighborhood. • Stop composting at home until the bear leaves the area or surround your bin with an electric fence (smear peanut butter on the fence so the bear gets a little zap to the face). • Contact VT Fish and Wildlife for advice before the bear becomes a problem.

Report bear interactions at: anrweb.vt.gov/FWD/FW/WildlifeBearReport.aspx

reSoUrCeS

cvswmd.org/home-composting for free bin plans

anrmaps.vermont.gov/websites/Organics/default.html for a list of food scrap drop off sites

VTrecycles.com for more information about composting and recycling, or to find a food scrap hauler

uvm.edu/extension/mastergardener/vermont-master-composter-course for info about the Vermont Master Composter course

802recycles.com to find your local waste experts. Some offer free backyard composting classes and sell backyard compost bins. Questions? Contact us at Vermont DEC (802-828-1138) or @VTrecycles or @TheVermontDEC

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CVSWMD-compostbooklet-2019.indd 15 3/25/19 3:58 PM VTrecycles.com 802-828-1138

Follow us on: @VTrecycles @TheVermontDEC

With much gratitude to the original authors of "The Dirt on Compost." Adapted with permission from:

Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District 137 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 (802) 229-9383 • cvswmd.org

This publication adapted with permission from the The Dirt on Composting written by Julie Berbiglia, Composting and Master , Scarritt-Bennet, with Sharon Smith, Recycling Coordinator and Master Composter, Metro Public Works, Division of Waste Management, Nashville, Tennessee.

This edition was rewritten and edited by Cassandra Hemenway, Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District and Vermont Master Composter. Design by Dana Dwinell-Yardley. Updated March 2019.

Printed on 100% recycled paper.

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