As a community we can divert a large amount of our kitchen and yard scraps from entering the landfill. There are two main reasons why we are introducing the Rangeview Community Composting Program:
1.) When organic waste enters landfills instead of being composted, it undergoes a process called anaerobic decomposition. Anaerobic decomposition means that food and yard scraps are broken down under conditions where oxygen is unavailable. When organic waste is broken down anaerobically, methane gas is produced and released into the atmosphere. Methane gas is a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide and is a major contributor to decreasing air quality ratings and rising global temperatures. Composting allows us to divert this waste and encourage aerobic decomposition, reducing our environmental footprint.
2.) When we facilitate the decomposition of organic waste, something truly extraordinary begins to happen. Scraps from our kitchens and gardens can be converted into a highly valuable organic soil amendment that feeds living organisms in the soil, many of which are too small to see with the naked eye. Life in the soil breaks down compost even further into nutrients that can be readily taken up by plants through their roots.
The RHOA (Rangeview Home Owners Association) is introducing a community composting program to create a reciprocal loop where organic waste is converted into nutrients to foster the growth of more food. Once the loop is created, all we must do is continue to monitor our compost piles regularly and provide air, moisture, and a balanced amount of carbon to nitrogen.
The community composting bins are in the community garden on the south side of the greenhouse, past the fire pit. The first bin will be accepting compost contributions and is labeled Bin #1 – Accepting Contributions. Residents are encouraged to add organic waste from their yards and kitchens to the community composting bins. The RHOA will ensure that this pile is turned regularly, and when the scraps are ready, the RHOA will move them to Bin #2 – In Progress. Once the scraps are in the final stages of breaking down, the RHOA will move them into Bin #3 – Finished Product. Bin #3 will contain what is called finished compost – this finished product can be added to soil as fertilizer or can be made into a “compost tea” mixture to water our garden with.
If you have any questions about composting or how to get involved in the community composting program in Rangeview please contact info@rangeviewhoa.com.