Green for less: Compost happens

One of the best and easiest things you can do for the environment is keep a compost bin, either in your backyard or kitchen. Either method is easy and an eco-home trend that's slowly reaching the mainstream. Composting is not only great for the environment, for reducing the amount of methane and leachate organic waste gives off decomposing in a landfill, it also produces a rich fertilizer that can strengthen any garden. And, despite common belief, it doesn't smell (as long as you avoid putting in meat and other stuff that doesn't belong there).

So if you've got a green thumb or just love the outdoors, scrape your uneaten veggies and fruits off your plate and into your compost bin. Instead of throwing away uneaten food, coffee grounds, tea bags, nut shells, and dozens of other types of organic waste you make every day where it piles up in landfills, use that junk! As this waste decomposes in a landfill, it releases methane, which is highly flammable and is the reason why dumps have release valves--to release the pressure methane builds up or else it can cause an explosion. If you compost, you create a rich soil that can reduce the need for water, fertilizer, and pesticides. That's why more and more communities are launching compost programs and welcome taking your compost waste for public gardens.