This isn't new. We're both opinionated, strong-willed people who spent the last 20 years living independently. Learning to incorporate each other into our decision-making has been interesting (see challenging), but worthwhile (see happily in love). It's been almost two years and we've just come to an agreement on where the toothpaste should go. So when the whole "we are the composting city" debacle reared its head, I knew we were in for a bumpy ride. Neither one of us is happy about it, but for totally different reasons.
I'm anti-composting. Period. I have fears of the smell (I previously offered to try it if we used an airtight container. B passed on this offer. BTW, the container provided by the city is definitely not airtight). I worry bugs, or worse, will be lured into the house by the lingering smell of rotting food.
B is pro composting. He was a dedicated composter at his house in Oz and has been trying to convince me we should be composting since moving here. He extolled the virtues of composting on many occasions. Benefits like rich soil for the plants and garden, less waste, setting a good example for our son failed to sway me. He explained in great detail his system of composting - it involved a rotating collection of containers, an intricate "carry and empty" process, contingency plans for smell or possible vermin issues, soil distribution and much, much more (just ask him, he'll be happy to reminisce on his days of carefree composting). And yet, I remained unmoved and our food scraps continued to go in the waste bin.
So when he first heard of Portland's new composting push, he was eager to have the power of the "council" on his side. However, when he learned the details of it, ummmm, not so much.
- Why are we paying more for less service?
- Why will the city get the benefit of selling the nutrient rich soil created by our composting efforts, but we don't?
- This container is useless (ie doesn't meet the standards of his previous composting protocol).
- What about M's diapers sitting around in a bin for two weeks?
Here we are. Almost a month into government forced composting, B is working to integrate his previously perfected system into the confines of the new one. Until all the details are ironed out, I'm not allowed to put anything into the composting bin (for fear I will toss in contraband and sully his efforts ) with two exceptions.
1. Dryer lint. Much to B's chagrin, I habitually put lint from the dryer into the recycling bin despite regularly being told it can't go in the recycling. I think he thinks allowing it in the composting will somehow get me to stop putting it in the recycling. He can be such an optimist at times.
2. Popcorn. I'm not clear why I have been deemed popcorn-2-composting bin trustworthy, but I have.
It's okay. I didn't want to use the fancy-schmancy new composting bin anyway.
From the complete lack of yard debris bins in our neighborhood put out on trash day, I'm not alone. My neighbors aren't keen on coerced composting either. What say you?
PAMELA!!!! You wrote this just for me, right? You know I almost side with your husband... well, in theory. I saw B's composting efforts, and, ummm, he can get just as good if not improved efforts here. I remember his ban on allowing anyone else to do anything in his kitchen... so in retalliation, I say go for it and put an apple peel or something crazy like a piece of tissue in his compost collector...
ReplyDeleteSeems you have to decide first if you find value in composting, then decide how to deal with the stink-factor, and then lastly get over the fact that your garbage company is capitalizing on the Green-marketing factor. I compost everything I can, feed the rest to the chickens and then recycle every piece of refuse I can. It's important to me.
So, the several sides to this...
If people would compost their organic, non-toxic-laden plant matter and it could be converted into usable humus that would help our communities create healthy food for their families and thus cut down on the need for commercially produced fertilizers packaged in nasty plastic, and therefore help the planet and our bodies even more, then that's fabulous, right?! But, most likely the city is using greening marketing tactics to make the community feel good about their efforts, helping large garbage companies make money while up-selling garbage. I bought "organic" compost to fill my beds and found garbage mixed in (non-organic fruit labels that surely carried lingering herbicides and pesticides.) I complained, of course. I think you have to believe in what you are doing as contributing to the overall good of the planet and skip getting caught up on other's poor intentions or efforts.
Composting doesn't have to be stinky. It's all about how you handle it. You can save compost in your home in a way that prevents odor by following a few easy steps. First, use a stainless steel container with an airtight lid inside the house and empty it daily, or every time you go outside. I use a plant-based soap and water to rinse it out and then spray it with hydrogen peroxide to eliminate any bacteria (that would cause odor)while not using harsh chemicals. There is no smell inside with mine (unless Dan breaks cleaning protocol.)
I personally don't care so much about the outside odor (the cow crap overpowers it at our house...) but, if you handle compostable material properly, there should be no odor. Do not compost animal or fat products. Make sure the ratio for green and brown matter is balanced and layered so as to not create an anaerobic environment or you'll get putrifying fermenting smelly stuff. If you're using a pile or bin so you can use the re-purposed stuff, use worms to help keep the compostable items composting, turn the compost, cover the compost, don't let it get too wet, or too hot... I assume you're not using it, but you could...
I'm confused about the diapers... are they suggesting you put them in the composting bin? If so, totally gross. If you are just referring to them sitting in a garbage can getting totally rancid, why not use a bio-degradable garbage bag liner and store them in a separate sealed garbage can until garbage day and then put them in the collection bin?
I knew you would comment, Janell. I'll let you tussle with B and his composting protocols. I would be much more open to the whole thing if our container was an airtight stainless steel one. The first time B suggested doing it, I said I'd agree if we did use such a container. He balked. Said composting never commenced.
ReplyDeleteAs for the diapers, no they don't go in the composting bin. They go into the garbage container ... and sit for two weeks until our turn for trash pick up.
How often does Dan break protocol?