Livingston County Michigan Solid Waste Management

What is Composting?
Composting is the natural breakdown of organic materials. It is nature's way of recycling plant materials back in to the soil. The result is a rich, crumbly, soil-like material that can be used in gardens, flowerbeds, or in potted plants.

The Composting Recipe:

"One part green and three parts brown, Turns the compost into ground. Add some water and some soil, Turning is the only toil."

The ideal combination for composting is one part "green" or nitrogen-rich materials and three parts "brown" or carbon-rich materials.

GREEN

BROWN

DO NOT COMPOST


Grass Clippings and Weeds	Autumn Leaves	Meat Scraps or Bones
Livestock Manure	Wood Chips	Cooked Foods
Garden Prunings	Pine Needles and Pine Cones	Dairy Products
Raw Vegetable and Fruit Scraps	Dead Plants	Oils, Grease or Sauces
Coffee Grounds and Filters	Hay	Peanut Butter
Tea Bags	Sawdust	Bread
Crushed, Rinsed Eggshells	Shredded Paper (small amounts)	Pet Manure

STEP 1:	Choose a bin or location for your compost pile. A bin can be purchased at most garden supply stores or can be easily constructed with some wood and chicken wire or with four wood pallets.
STEP 2:	Place the brown and green materials in layers in the bin. Remember to use 3 times as much brown material as green material.
STEP 3:	Add just enough water to dampen the materials. Too much water can cause odors. It may also cool the microorganisms that decompose the material and cause them to become inactive.
STEP 4:	Periodically turn the materials using a shovel or a pitchfork. Composting will not occur without enough oxygen.
STEP 5:	Depending on the pile type, composition, temperature, moisture content, and aeration, your pile could be ready to harvest anywhere between 6 weeks to a year.

Solid Waste Management
East Complex - 2300 E. Grand River Ave., Suite 105 Howell, MI 48843
Phone 517.545.9609 FAX 517.545.9658

email: solidwaste@co.livingston.mi.us