Write an article based on this "Get a compost container. Cover your container and set it in a sunny spot. Set open-bottomed containers on soil. Layer your bin with green and brown materials. Turn your compost every two to four weeks. Water your compost bin if necessary. Wait 1 year for your food to compost. Add your compost to soil."
To properly recycle food waste, you'll need to purchase or create a compost container. You can construct homemade containers using fence posts and either wire mesh siding or lattice. The container should be square or round and have an open bottom. Professional compost containers come in two forms: Compost bins, large containers that look similar to trash cans. These are small and cheap, but open at the bottom, making it difficult to turn compost. Compost tumblers, rotating cylinders that, though expensive, are easy to turn and incredibly effective. To help it compost successfully, it's important to keep food waste at an internal temperature of at least 135F (57C). To achieve this, place your compost container in an area where it can experience direct sunlight. If it does not have a built-in cover, place a slab of wood or tarp on top to pack in heat. If your compost container has an open base, set it on a patch of soil. This allows your waste to drain properly and gives insects and microbes a chance to break down the materials. If possible, do not put your bin on paving or decking. To prevent vermin from getting into your compost, dig a 1 inch (2.5cm) deep hole beneath your container and cover it with wire mesh. When filling your compost container, try to make even layers of green, quick rotting foods and brown, slow rotting foods. When the container is full, each type of material should make up about 50% of the total compost mixture. Examples of proper materials include: Green items like fruit peels and pulp, vegetable peels and pulp, tea leaves and bags, coffee grounds, and carrot tops. Brown items like egg boxes and shells, nuts, tomato plants, corn starch liners, used kitchen paper, and cardboard. Do not compost bones, meat, fish, bread, dairy products, drink cartons, olive oil, plastic bags, or plastic bottles. Food waste needs oxygen to decompose. To make sure all your waste gets an equal amount of air exposure, use a pitchfork to turn over your compost every few weeks. If using a tumbler, you can simply rotate the container itself with the attached crank. If you need to add more food waste, mix it in while turning the compost. Throughout the composting process, check to make sure your pile is decomposing properly. Your food waste should be consistently damp, not dry or soaking wet. Use a hose to water dry compost, and add brown materials to soaking wet compost. Food waste takes a long time to decompose. In general, expect the composting process to take between 9 months and 1 year. You compost is ready to use when the bottom is a dark, rich color. You can use compost to add nutrients to soil, making your yard, garden, and plants healthier. To enhance plants already in the ground, try spreading about 5 to 10 inches (13 to 25cm) of compost over garden beds and around trees. To help new plants grow, combine your compost and soil to create a rich mix. The compost should comprise about of the mix. In most cases, homemade compost will have rough spots where the materials did not break down completely. Use these areas as mulch for flowerbeds and shrubs.