HOWELL – Several Howell Township residents gathered together at Echo Lake to learn the wonders of composting and how it will not only benefit themselves, but how it can help the environment.
The Howell Township Green Team hosted a “Backyard Composting Workshop” at the Echo Lake Pavilion, inviting those interested in learning how to reduce waste and improve their soil.
The workshop included guest speaker Tom Matulewicz. He is a 1999 graduate of the first Master Gardner class given in Monmouth County. He has since received the title of Master Composter, Rain Garden Specialist and Rain Garden Specialist Trainer and Rain Barrel Workshop Instructor.
What is composting? It’s a natural process where organic materials decompose and are recycled into soil conditioner known as “compost.” This helps improves soil structure and moisture retention, and contributes to healthy plant growth by providing plant nutrients.
Why compost? Not only does it help plants grow and reduces fertilizer and water use, but it most importantly helps the environment; avoids garbage collection and landfill fees; and reduces the volume of garbage going to landfills, transfer stations and incinerators.
“Out of all the trash we throw away, 30% of it is food waste,” Matulewicz said. “Why do 100% of us recycle but only about 5% of us compost? It’s because no one tells us to do it.”
Matulewicz further explained how about 200 acres are filled with waste at the Monmouth County Reclamation Center located in Tinton Falls. He then questioned what will happen once it’s completely filled and the answer would most likely be the county having to pay to move the waste somewhere else.
Matulewicz then discussed how some items in the landfill don’t decompose. According to officials, they looked through waste that was sitting in a land fill for 10 years and found grass, carrots and newspapers that had not been broken down. Matulewicz said due to having little to no air, these items did not fully decompose.
Monmouth County itself is pushing for residents to compost and offers discounted Earth Machine composters so people can take the initiative.
Residents are encouraged to make their own composter, ideally creating a 3’x3’x3’ bin and putting it in a location where animals can’t get in. Items that can be composted include: vegetable food scraps, grass clippings, leaves, weeds, sawdust and wood ash, chopped twigs and branches as well as coffee grounds.
“We’re saving the planet one banana peel at a time,” Matulewicz added.
For more information and to learn about ways to compost, visit njaes.rutgers.edu or visit the county’s Reclamation Center’s webpage at visitmonmouth.com/page.aspx?Id=4185.
