GO! - Carbon Conscious Challenge - Recycle Your Organic Waste

Methane (CH4) is the primary component of natural gas. Although it only remains in the atmosphere for approximately 9-15 years, unlike carbon dioxide's (C02) 100 years, methane is over 20 times more effective in trapping heat in the Earths atmosphere than CO2.

Around 3% of methane gas emission is released by anaerobic decomposition, a processes in which microorganisms break down biodegradable material in the absence of oxygen, as occurs in landfills. 

Recycling organic waste, through composting, by introducing oxygen and water, can help eliminate this problem (about Composting.

Julio Staben of the Union City Yard, shares what they've done to help reduce unnecessary creation of methane while increasing the bottom line:

"I'm attaching photos of our newly constructed composting bins. Their cost was less than expected. We used metal stakes from trashed tree stakes and only spent cash on lumber and labor.

We're:

• eliminating some yard waste
• reducing greenhouse gases
• reducing costs of hauling
• and transforming yard waste into sellable compost for some of our projects

Jake Voit (C&D's Sustainability Manager) ordered our (compost) thermometer, which arrived last week, and we are set to go. We hope to begin reaping some benefits in approx. 4 months. Our labor is minimal - just stir in oxygen and add water.

We also have been using "weed flamers" in concreted areas (reducing chemical use) and have been monitoring the increased savings by skipping the use of herbicides.

That's it from the Union City.

Benefits of using compost in landscapes are:

• Reduces erosion and water run off
• Improves water holding capacity, reducing water loss
• May control or suppress certain soil-borne plant pathogens
• Improves the soils ability to hold nutrients for plant use
• Supplies beneficial microorganisms
• Can bind and degrade specific pollutants

Some residential tips:

A Sonoma County study showed that 30% of the residential waste stream is food waste, totaling about 800 tons per week. Other cities in the Bay Area most likely have similar stats. 

Many waste companies now allow you to put your food waste into your green waste bin!!  Here’s how Santa Rosa does it… check with your city's disposal company to see how they participate!

 

Becoming Part of the Solution ... GO! Team

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cagwin & Dorward
PO Box 1600
Novato, CA 94948-1600
1-800-891-7710

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Cagwin & Dorward
PO Box 1600
Novato, CA 94948-1600
1-800-891-7710