Loving my new compost bin.
Another Surprise
Last week I blogged about my son-in-law, Brian Saine, surprising me with a wooden bench he made in memory of my husband, Michael. Knowing Michael loved all things Chevrolet, Brian used a Chevrolet tailgate for the back of the bench. In that blog, I also mentioned my other son-in-law, Ben Key, and that he, too, had made something special. As you can see, it’s a compost bin. Although you may not think a compost bin is special, once you read the rest of the story you might change your mind.
Through the years as I’ve come to understand the importance of recycling, it’s become almost like a game to see how much I can cut down on my garbage each week. I became really excited a few years ago when discovering a local business, Think Green Recycling, in Cleveland, NC, not only picks up recycling for a small fee, but will separate it, too. What a blessing not to have to sort recycling into a million different buckets or tubs.
Diligent about recycling cardboard, paper, plastic and cans, etc., I’m equally diligent about keeping food out of my garbage as well. Not having a garbage disposal, but living in the country, I find it convenient to throw scraps at the edge of my backyard near the woods. I learned that habit from my mom during the days before landfills, recycling or compost bins.
Recently, when Ben was at my house and noticed some of my scraps, although he didn’t say anything at the time, later during a conversation, said he wondered about it. Appreciative of my efforts to reduce garbage, Ben understood. It was during that conversation I mentioned I had always wanted a compost bin.
A few weeks later I noticed Ben throwing sticks, mulch and leaves into a wooden container near my garage. My daughter, Kelly said when Ben learned I had always wanted a compost bin, he decided to surprise me. Once getting everything set up, Ben explained I should let the materials sit for a week or two before adding food.
To learn more about this process, I began reading different online sources for information. For the most part, I learned fruits and vegetables are okay to add, but not dairy, meat or citrus. I also learned tea bags and eggs shells are good because they have nutrients the soil needs, which means I eventually can use this compost as fertilizer for my garden, lawn or flowers.
I suppose I’m at the age now where I don’t worry so much if people laugh at my eccentric ways as long as I’m helping somebody or something. In this case, I felt by reducing waste I’m leaving a better world for my grandchildren. If interested in learning more about this subject, Pinterest has great boards on how to compost or build your own compost bin. These ideas would also make wonderful science lessons for children. Since I’m still learning, no pun intended, I’ve only scratched the surface.
How about you? Do you recycle? Do you have a compost bin? What other ways do you cut down on waste? Leave a comment below, message on Facebook or email dicysm@yahoo.com
Thanks,
Dicy
www.dicymcculloughbooks.com/blog
