Composting

Composting is a fantastic way to reduce waste and enrich the environment. Instead of sending food scraps and yard waste to landfills, composting turns them into nutrient-rich soil. This natural process helps reduce methane emissions from landfills, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to climate change. Plus, composting saves you tax dollars, by reducing the landfill tipping fees paid by the Borough, which are based on the weight of each truckload. 

Composting also improves soil health by increasing its organic matter, enhancing water retention, and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. For gardeners, compost leads to healthier plants and better yields. 

By composting, residents of West Chester can actively participate in a more sustainable lifestyle and promote a circular system where waste is transformed into a valuable resource. It’s a simple action with a significant environmental impact. 

How to compost at home:

  • CompostingKeep a bucket on you kitchen counter for food scraps such as fruit and vegetables scraps, coffee grounds and paper filters, crushed eggshells, paper tea bags without staples, etc.
    •  Avoid meat, dairy products (aside from egg shells), greasy foods, bones, and pet waste
  • Find a double-chamber compost tumbler. Mix food scraps with leaves, grass clippings, or other organic, fine materials. Spin the tumbler and mix from time-to-time to ensure quick and complete composting of material. Placing the tumbler in a sunny spot will help keep the process going throughout the winter. 
  • Keep adding scraps and leaves until a chamber is full, then switch to the second chamber while the first one "cooks" 
  • After 8-12 weeks, depending on outdoor temps, voila! Fresh compost for your yard, garden, and houseplants. 

No Yard? No Time? 

Find a company that will pick up food scraps and deliver compost, for a modest fee, at www.litterless.com.