Composting at school or home is an undeniably awesome way to reduce landfill and create nutrient-rich soil for your garden or veggie patch. It’s easier than you may think.

1. Bin There
You can buy or make a compost bin, or even use a pile in your backyard. It’s important to have a container with a lid that allows for air flow.

2. Sweet Merciful Scraps
You can compost yard waste (leaves, grass clippings), kitchen scraps (fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, eggshells), and other organic materials. Avoid composting meat, dairy, and oils.

3. Layer Up
Start with a layer of dry leaves or newspaper at the bottom of the bin. Then add a layer of food scraps, followed by another layer of dry materials. Continue to alternate layers until the bin is full.

4. Turn Around
Every week or so, use a pitchfork or shovel to turn the compost, mixing the layers and adding more air to the pile.

5. Moist Definitely
Compost needs to be kept moist but not wet. If it’s too dry, add water. If it’s too wet, add dry materials.

6. Wait…
It can take a few months to a year for compost to fully decompose. When it’s ready, it will be dark, crumbly, and have a earthy smell.

7. Spead the love!
Spread the compost in your garden or mix it with soil in pots to add nutrients and improve soil quality.

8. Eat, Sleep, Compost, Repeat
Once you’ve used your compost, start the process again with a new batch.

Remember, composting is a natural process so don’t worry too much about getting everything perfect. If you have any expert tips, we’d love to hear them!