Composting is an easy way to divert up to 30% of your solid waste from going to the landfill. In this simple process, you are taking GARBAGE and converting it into BLACK GOLD!! Seriously, scientific studies have shown that plants grown with compost produce up to twice as much as plants grown with chemical fertilizers. This is because compost does much more than just fertilize plants - it builds up a population of beneficial bacteria in the soil and helps build a soil structure that is ideal for root growth.
Composting is a fun scientific hobby too, since you must have a good knowledge base in order to be a successful composter. I've provided a couple links to web pages that give a comprehensive look at the process. You will find that there are many different ways to build and maintain a compost pile, and we will be testing out several of these designs as you compete against other classes in the Great Compost Race.
The challenge is to see how much solid waste your class can divert from a landfill and turn into useful compost. You could spend hours on the web, learning about the composting process. Here are a couple starting points. Enjoy!
Eartheasy: Solutions for Sustainable Living
U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) Compost Page
Composting 101
Make Dirt, Not Waste
Again, this is really just a quick sampling of the endless composting resources you will find on the internet. If your class truly wants to be competitive, you should educate yourself about this process. Furthermore, I hope that you will incorporate composting into your life. Let's get real - let's make a positive difference in the world!