Let’s start composting!
By Natalia Ortega July 18, 2008 San Miguel de Allende

Solid waste is refuse that is not hazardous and can be reused, recycled, or transformed into energy. Solid waste that can no longer be exploited in any way is garbage and is relegated to a dump. Some examples of inorganic solid waste are aluminum, glass and paper. Examples of organic solid waste are fruits and vegetables, eggshells, garden trimmings and coffee and tea grounds.

During 2007, 1,200 third-grade elementary students from San Miguel learned how to make compost thanks to instruction from the Environmental Education Project San Miguel de Allende (PEASMA in Spanish). It is important to foster environmentally friendly habits from a young age that can be carried into adulthood. We hope that adults will also join this environmental culture through simple and everyday activities such as separating garbage and making compost.

What is composting?

Composting involves transforming organic waste (in this case, kitchen and garden refuse) into a product known as compost-humus. This is not only a high-quality organic fertilizer, but it also improves the structure of the soil, providing humic materials that can compensate for losses due to human activities.

The benefits of making compost include reducing the volume of garbage generated at home by up to 50 percent, helping to reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, increasing soil porosity (this facilitates its permeability and water retention, which reduces the need to water the plants as frequently), and reducing the incidence of disease and pests in plants and trees.

How do I compost?

1. Take the compost container, put a layer of branches at the bottom, 10 to 20 cm.

2. Put a layer of litter and debris such as flowers and grass, to be covered with black soil.

3. Add another layer of organic waste and cover with black soil.

4. Thereafter you will add layers of organic matter and soil, alternating to fill up the compost container.

5. It is important to cover the container with black plastic, in case you do not have a cover, in order to avoid an excess of rainwater.

6. Once the compost container is full, we can subtract the compost-humus by the lower compartment. If, when you pull out compost-humus and the organic matter is not completely decomposed, it is because it needs more time.

7. You will be able to use the compost-humus after 45 or sometimes 90 days, depending on weather conditions and materials mixed.


Got something green to share?

Atención is starting a regular Green San Miguel section in the newspaper, so send your announcements, news, suggestions and thoughts to edit@atencionsanmiguel.org,  with Green Things in the subject line.