Compost and its benefits

Welcome back to Way to Zero Waste, today we want to tell you about the benefits of composting in the domestic and environmental field. Be sure to read us.

Compost is a natural fertilizer created from the action of bacteria, fungi and worms on organic or biological waste from your home (food scraps, dried plants, etc.).

The uses and functions of compost cover different areas:

- Fertilizer for our garden soil

- Plant food

- Recycling waste by giving it another use

Compost provides many benefits to both people and the environment and we are going to mention them below:

Domestic benefits

#1: Household waste reduction

Compost is primarily created from household organic waste. By separating organic waste from non-organic waste, we are also indirectly recycling. That is why, if you do not already recycle at home, we invite you to try composting as it will introduce you, in turn, to the world of recycling.

If you are encouraged to make compost you will be contributing to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. The less waste you generate, the more beneficial it is for the planet.

#2: Generate black soil

Black soil is healthy soil that helps your plants grow better. By using compost-derived soil to grow your plants, you will notice that they grow stronger and plant diseases decrease.

In addition, nutrients are incorporated into the soil which improves the chemical and biological structure of the soil.

#3: Decreases maintenance costs for soil projects

Compost helps reduce the cost of maintaining soil projects both in a small home yard and on a large scale. This occurs because compost promotes healthy growth of plants and their fruits. Therefore, their mortality is reduced to a minimum and thus the need to replace dead plants with new ones is reduced.

As an added effect, compost increases the drought resistance of both soil and plants. Therefore, artificial irrigation is not as necessary as before.

#4 : Keeps water in the soil longer

Rainwater is managed by compost and also helps to conserve water. This happens because it increases the soil's ability to retain moisture and transfer it efficiently.

Environmental benefits of compost

#1 : Prevents soil surface erosion

Thanks to compost, soil erosion is reduced. Compost causes more water to seep into the surface, and slows the flow of water.

The addition of organic amendments to compost significantly reduces soil loss (erosion) and nutrient loss (especially phosphorus), so it can be used as an easy and affordable tool to maintain and conserve soils.

#2 : Controls rainwater

Another positive effect that compost has on the earth's surface is that it helps to keep rainwater and its flow over the earth's surface under control.

#3 : Reduces greenhouse gases

Thanks to compost, the emission of greenhouse gases is reduced, which is also beneficial because ecosystems increase their resistance to high temperatures.

Most of the waste we generate goes directly to landfills, and these are one of the main sources of pollution on the planet. Burying solid waste in the ground, even in a controlled manner, has an impact on our environment because it generates and emits biogas into the atmosphere, a mixture formed, above all, by methane gas (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2), two of the gases that cause the rise in temperature of the planet and climate change.

By composting our organic waste, we prevent this waste from ending up in landfills and contributing to the emission of gases into the atmosphere.

#4 : Wetland restoration

If compost is distributed between roads and wetlands, it reduces and even eliminates the seepage of pollutants from vehicles into wetlands.

We hope you are encouraged to start composting at home and enjoy its wonderful benefits.

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