Composting your food scraps and yard waste goes a long way in lessening the amount of waste in our landfills and its impact on our environment. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, "Yard trimmings and food residuals comprise 23 percent of U.S. waste."

It is simple, satisfying and fun to compost your food scraps and yard waste at home. The resulting organic material can be used for growing your own food or it can be spread on the ground, returning its energy to the earth.

The following waste is commonly produced by the average family in the United States and is suitable for composting:

• Coffee grounds and filters
• Dryer lint
• Eggshells
• Fireplace ashes
• Fruits and vegetables
• Grass clippings and leaves
• Shredded newspaper (soy ink)
• Tea bags and loose tea
• Yard trimmings (small branches and wood chips)

Do not compost meat, dog and cat waste, or edible oil products. These produce odor and attract pests. They may also introduce toxins into your compost. Do, however, use chicken, horse or cow manure if it is locally available. The idea is to have a balanced mixture of carbon and nitrogen in your compost.

Your food and yard waste must be kept damp and turned frequently (aerated) for waste to decompose properly. Small-scale composters suitable for apartment-dwellers, as well as large tumblers, are commonly available. To save costs, composters can be made using a simple bucket or, if you have the outdoor space, you can make your own by constructing a wooden bin and securing the top with a tarp or burlap.