The world of composting can seem overwhelming, but I’m here to help! Enjoy this simple Guide to Kitchen Composting, including what can (and can’t) be composted, why you should compost and how to do it.
Navigating what to compost can be confusing, which is why I LOVE buying products that are clearly labelled “compostable” on the package. My favorite gummies from Herbaland (who sponsored this post) are actually the FIRST vitamin gummy brand to release packaging made from 100% compostable materials! By switching to these pouches, they will divert over 60,000 plastic bottles (2 tons of plastic) from landfills each year. Healthier me, healthier planet.
I’ve used these gummies for years. Head HERE to enter our current IG giveaway to win your very own supply – they are incredible. You can also shop a curated box of my favourite gummy vitamins: don’t forget to use code FRAICHE for 20% off. Ok, let’s dig into composting.
What is composting?
Composting is the process of breaking down organic waste into nutrient-rich dirt. There are countertop composters, curb-side composting (we aren’t so lucky here in Kelowna – yet) and traditional garden composters.
Benefits of composting
There are many benefits to composting, but these are the top 3 that resonate most with me:
- Good for plants. Composting produces a nutrient-rich dirt that helps plants grow.
- Helps prevent soil erosion. Healthy soil, rich in microbes, does a better job of holding on to water and nutrients which makes it less vulnerable to soil erosion.
- Reduces methane emissions, a greenhouse gas by diverting waste from landfills. I always wondered about this relationship. Unlike composting, landfills create an anaerobic environment where oxygen is limited and the good microbes, needed to breakdown this organic matter, are not able to survive. This anaerobic decomposition creates methane gas, which traps the heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming.
What can I compost?
It’s estimated that 30% of the earth’s food that is produced is wasted. Ugh. Composting is a great way to reduce the amount of household garbage and creates rich soil for use in gardening and landscaping. The items I compost most often include:
- Egg shells
- Coffee grounds
- Flowers
- Veggie scraps
- Fruit scraps
- For a more comprehensive list, see here: https://www.compost.org/backyard_compost/
What can’t I compost?
There are some items that can’t be composted, including (but not limited to) the following:
- Meat, fish and bones
- Plastics
- Metals
- Fats and oils
- Dairy products
- Pet waste
- Cheese, meat or sauces
Herbaland Compostable Packaging
Herbaland now offers an entire product line in pouches made from 100% compostable, plant-based ingredients, which divert over 60,000 plastic bottles (2 tons of plastic) from the landfill every year. Isn’t that amazing?! I LOVE their earth-friendly considerations.
What is their new compostable packaging made from?
Their compostable pouches are made from sustainably sourced plant-based ingredients including wood pulp, cornstarch, cassava, sugarcane, and beets. All of the components of the Herbaland pouches, including the zipper, conform to the OK compost HOME certification and will fully break down into organic materials rather than microplastics.
How do you compost the packaging?
To compost their plant-based pouches, simply cut up the bag into small pieces and place it in your backyard compost bin or your community compost bin. Make sure to check your city regulations before placing these pouches in your home green bin, since compostable plastics are relatively new to the market and the material is not yet accepted at many industrial composting facilities! Their pouches can be placed in:
• Backyard compost bins
• Bokashi bins
• Worm farms
• Community gardens
I worked with Herbaland to bring you some of my favourite gummies all wrapped up in one box to make things simple, including the Women’s Multi, Sweet Dreams and Iron Plus. You can use code FRAICHE for 20% off this limited-edition curated box.
To learn more about the supplements I take and why head HERE.
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