A location for the project, organic waste materials, a garden pitchfork, soil, water. Volunteers must be available to construct and maintain the compost pile. Compost is an inexpensive and effective soil conditioner that recycles organic waste materials. Nutrients in plant material are returned to the soil through the breakdown of organic material by the action of microscopic fungi and aerobic bacteria.
Organic wastes are decomposed, and the result is a material useful as a natural fertilizer.
In Japan, Europe, and recently in the United States, municipalities have established large-scale solid municipal composting facilities. The volume of organic material composted is diverted from other disposal facilities. Municipalities have found that composting leaves collected in the fall can save disposal fees. When properly managed, a compost pile will not produce odors or attract pests. The finished product can be ready for use as a garden mulch in as little as six weeks with proper management.