Yard & Food Waste Removal

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  Food

  Use the Fifty-Fifty Rule: A perfect mixture of material consists of ½ brown (carbon-based material) and ½ green (nitrogen-based) material by weight. Air: To Turn or Not to Turn: The organisms that live inside your compost bin need air to survive. Mix or turn the pile three to five times per season using a pitchfork, garden hoe or shovel. Proper aeration can make a big difference. You will know if your bin is not getting enough oxygen if the pile smells of ammonia.
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  Water

  Keep it moist, not damp: The organisms need water to survive, but not too much or they will drown. The ideal moisture level of your compost pile should be like that of a wrung out sponge.
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  Surface Area

  Small pieces are best: Cutup or shred organic waste materials before placing them into the compost bin. This increases the surface area and speeds up decomposition. You can also store your kitchen scraps in your freezer to speed up decomposition, as your materials break down at the cell level when frozen.Bin
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  Volume

  Use the right size bin: A bin should be between 3’ x 3’ x ’3 and 5’x 5’ x 5’. A bin that is too small cannot retain enough heat. If the bin is too large, it won’t get enough air to the center of the pile. It is also easier to manage two or three medium bins that one large one. You can build a compost bin yourself out of new or recycled materials, or you can buy one at a home or garden center.

For more information, visit https://mgeldorado.ucanr.edu/Resources/Composting_Resources/