Composting offers Inglewood residents an eco-friendly solution for managing organic waste while benefiting their gardens and the environment. This natural process transforms kitchen scraps, yard trimmings, and other biodegradable materials into nutrient-rich soil amendment.

Inglewood’s Environmental Services Department supports composting initiatives by providing subsidized compost bins to residents and offering educational resources. These efforts aim to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable practices within the community.

Residents can choose from various composting methods, including traditional backyard composting, vermicomposting with worms, and hot composting for faster results. By adopting composting practices, Inglewood citizens contribute to a greener city while producing valuable organic material for their gardens and landscaping needs.

The Basics of Composting

Composting is a natural process that transforms organic waste into nutrient-rich soil. It offers numerous benefits for the environment and helps Inglewood residents comply with California’s SB 1383 organic waste reduction law.

What Is Composting?

Composting is the controlled decomposition of organic materials. It combines carbon-rich “browns” like leaves and paper with nitrogen-rich “greens” such as food scraps and grass clippings. Microorganisms break down these materials, creating a dark, crumbly substance called compost.

The ideal compost mix contains:

• 2-3 parts carbon materials
• 1 part nitrogen materials
• Adequate moisture
• Proper aeration

Common compostable items include:

• Fruit and vegetable scraps
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Yard trimmings
• Shredded paper

Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods, which can attract pests and create odors.

Benefits of Composting

Composting offers multiple advantages for Inglewood residents and the environment:

1. Improves soil health by adding nutrients and beneficial microorganisms
2. Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
3. Helps soil retain moisture, reducing water usage
4. Diverts organic waste from landfills, decreasing methane emissions
5. Saves money on garbage disposal and gardening supplies

For Inglewood gardeners, compost acts as a natural fertilizer and soil conditioner. It improves soil structure, promotes healthy plant growth, and increases resistance to pests and diseases.

Composting and SB 1383

California Senate Bill 1383 aims to reduce organic waste disposal by 75% by 2025. Composting is a key strategy for Inglewood residents to comply with this law. The bill requires cities to:

• Provide organic waste collection services
• Establish edible food recovery programs
• Educate residents about proper organic waste management

By composting at home, Inglewood residents can:

• Reduce their household waste
• Lower their environmental impact
• Support the city’s efforts to meet SB 1383 targets

Inglewood’s Environmental Services Department offers resources and guidance to help residents start composting and contribute to the city’s sustainability goals.

Setting Up Your Compost System

Creating an effective compost system in Inglewood requires careful planning and setup. The right location, proper bin selection, and understanding the differences between bins and piles are crucial for successful composting.

Choosing the Right Location

Select a dry, level spot in your yard for your compost system. Partial shade is ideal, as it prevents the pile from drying out too quickly. Ensure easy access for adding materials and turning the compost. Keep the area away from wooden structures to prevent potential rot.

Consider proximity to your kitchen for convenient disposal of food scraps. A location near your garden allows for easy use of finished compost. Maintain a distance of at least 2 feet from fences or walls to promote air circulation.

Selecting a Compost Bin

Inglewood residents can obtain subsidized compost bins through Republic Services. Contact their customer service at 800-299-4898 for details on availability and pricing. Choose a bin size that matches your household’s organic waste output.

Bins come in various materials, including plastic, wood, and wire mesh. Plastic bins retain heat and moisture well, while wire mesh offers excellent airflow. Wooden bins blend with the landscape but may require more maintenance.

Ensure your chosen bin has proper ventilation, a secure lid to deter pests, and easy access for turning the compost. Some bins feature multiple compartments for different stages of decomposition.

Composting Bins vs. Piles

Compost bins offer a neat, contained solution for urban settings like Inglewood. They help control moisture, reduce odors, and keep pests out. Bins also retain heat better, potentially speeding up the composting process.

Compost piles, on the other hand, allow for larger volumes and easier turning. They’re suitable for those with more space and higher organic waste output. Piles can be left open or covered with a tarp to regulate moisture.

For most Inglewood residents, bins are the preferred choice due to limited space and local regulations. However, those with larger yards might consider a combination of bins and piles for different composting needs.

What to Compost

Successful composting relies on a balanced mix of materials. Knowing what to include and avoid in your compost pile is essential for creating nutrient-rich soil amendments for Inglewood gardens.

Greens and Browns

Greens provide nitrogen and moisture to your compost. Include grass clippings, fresh yard trimmings, vegetable scraps, fruit peels, coffee grounds, and tea bags. Browns add carbon and help aerate the pile. Use dry leaves, shredded newspaper, cardboard, and dead plants.

Aim for a 3:1 ratio of browns to greens. Layer materials, alternating between browns and greens. Chop or shred larger items to speed up decomposition. Mix in coffee grounds and tea bags throughout the pile.

Add kitchen scraps like vegetable peelings, fruit cores, and pasta regularly. Bury these deeper in the pile to deter pests. Incorporate small amounts of grass clippings to avoid clumping.

Items to Avoid in Your Compost

Keep certain materials out of your compost to maintain quality and prevent issues. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods, which can attract pests and create odors. Don’t add diseased plants, as pathogens may survive composting.

Exclude pet waste, which can harbor harmful bacteria. Avoid adding weeds with mature seeds, as they may sprout in your garden. Keep out treated wood, glossy paper, and colored ink, which may contain harmful chemicals.

Limit citrus fruits and onions, as they can slow decomposition. Exclude synthetic materials like plastic, glass, and metal. Don’t add coal ash or charcoal, which may contain substances toxic to plants.

Composting Techniques

Inglewood residents can utilize various composting methods to recycle organic waste and enrich their soil. Each technique offers unique benefits and suits different living situations and gardening needs.

Hot Composting

Hot composting accelerates decomposition through high temperatures. This method requires careful management of carbon-to-nitrogen ratios, moisture, and aeration.

To start, mix equal parts “green” (nitrogen-rich) and “brown” (carbon-rich) materials. Green materials include grass clippings and food scraps. Brown materials consist of dry leaves and shredded paper.

Maintain moisture levels similar to a wrung-out sponge. Turn the pile weekly to introduce oxygen. A well-managed hot compost pile can reach temperatures of 130-150°F, killing weed seeds and pathogens.

This technique produces usable compost in 1-3 months, making it ideal for gardeners who need quick results.

Cold Composting

Cold composting is a low-maintenance method suitable for busy Inglewood residents. It involves piling organic materials and letting them decompose naturally over time.

Add kitchen scraps, yard waste, and brown materials to a bin or pile. Avoid meat, dairy, and oily foods to prevent odors and pests.

Optionally, turn the pile every few weeks to speed up decomposition. This method takes 6-12 months to produce finished compost.

Cold composting works well for those with limited time or physical limitations. It’s also a good option for apartment dwellers with small balconies.

Vermicomposting

Vermicomposting uses worms to break down organic matter. This method is perfect for indoor composting and small spaces.

Set up a worm bin with bedding material like shredded newspaper. Add red wiggler worms and feed them fruit and vegetable scraps.

Maintain proper moisture and avoid overfeeding. Harvest the nutrient-rich worm castings every 3-6 months.

Vermicomposting produces a high-quality soil amendment rich in beneficial microorganisms. It’s odorless when managed correctly, making it ideal for apartments.

Grasscycling and Mulching

Grasscycling involves leaving grass clippings on the lawn after mowing. This technique recycles nutrients back into the soil and reduces the need for fertilizers.

Use a mulching mower or remove the grass catcher to practice grasscycling. Mow when the grass is dry and not too tall.

Mulching involves applying organic materials like wood chips or leaves around plants. This conserves moisture, suppresses weeds, and improves soil health as the mulch decomposes.

Apply a 2-4 inch layer of mulch around plants, keeping it away from stems and trunks. Replenish as needed.

Bokashi

Bokashi is a fermentation process that breaks down organic waste using beneficial microorganisms. It’s suitable for small spaces and can handle a wider range of materials than traditional composting.

Mix food scraps with bokashi bran in an airtight container. Layer and press down to remove air pockets.

Drain liquid every few days and use it as a fertilizer. After 2 weeks, bury the fermented waste in soil or add it to a compost pile.

Bokashi is fast, odorless, and can process meat and dairy. It’s an excellent option for Inglewood residents with limited outdoor space.

Maintaining Your Compost

Proper maintenance is key to successful composting. Regular attention to moisture levels, aeration, and turning will help create nutrient-rich compost for your garden.

Balancing Moisture and Aeration

Maintaining the right moisture balance is crucial for effective composting. The compost pile should feel like a wrung-out sponge – moist but not soggy. If it’s too dry, add water or fresh green materials. If too wet, mix in dry brown materials like leaves or shredded paper.

Adequate aeration is equally important. Oxygen fuels the decomposition process. To improve air circulation, create air pockets by mixing coarse materials like chipped brush into the pile. Avoid compacting the compost.

For Inglewood residents using compost bins from Republic Services, ensure the bin has proper ventilation holes. If needed, drill additional small holes in the sides and lid.

Turning the Compost

Regular turning accelerates decomposition and prevents odors. Aim to turn your compost every 1-2 weeks. Use a pitchfork or compost aerator tool to mix the materials thoroughly.

When turning, move materials from the outer edges to the center. This ensures even decomposition throughout the pile. Break up any clumps you encounter.

For those with multiple bins, transfer compost from one bin to another during turning. This mixes materials more effectively and helps track the age of different batches.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Foul odors often indicate excess moisture or lack of oxygen. Add dry browns and turn the pile more frequently to resolve this.

If decomposition seems slow, check the balance of greens and browns. Add more nitrogen-rich greens like fresh grass clippings or plant cuttings to speed up the process.

Pests can be deterred by burying food scraps in the center of the pile and covering with brown materials. Avoid adding meat, dairy, or oily foods.

For persistent issues, contact Republic Services at 800-299-4898 for advice specific to Inglewood’s climate and composting program.

Using Finished Compost

Finished compost provides numerous benefits for soil health and plant growth. It adds valuable organic matter and nutrients to enrich gardens, lawns, and potted plants.

Knowing When Compost Is Ready

Finished compost should have a dark brown or black color and a crumbly, soil-like texture. It should smell earthy and pleasant, not rotten or sour. The original materials should no longer be recognizable.

To test if compost is ready, place a handful in a sealed plastic bag for 24 hours. If it smells sour when opened, it needs more time to decompose. Mature compost will have a mild, earthy aroma.

The temperature of the pile is also an indicator. Finished compost will be cool and stable, around the same temperature as the surrounding air.

How to Use Your Compost

Finished compost can be used in several ways to improve soil health:

• Mix into garden soil before planting
• Spread as a 2-3 inch layer around established plants
• Blend with potting soil for container plants
• Top-dress lawns with a thin layer in spring and fall

For vegetable gardens, incorporate 1-3 inches of compost into the top 6-8 inches of soil before planting. This adds organic matter and nutrients to feed plants throughout the growing season.

When using as mulch, apply a 2-3 inch layer around trees, shrubs, and perennials. Keep the compost a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot.

Compost tea can be made by steeping finished compost in water. This nutrient-rich liquid makes an excellent foliar spray or soil drench for plants.

Community and Resources

Inglewood offers robust support for composting and waste reduction efforts. Residents can access various programs, educational resources, and community initiatives to participate in sustainable practices.

Composting in Inglewood

The City of Inglewood encourages residents to compost through several initiatives. Subsidized compost bins are available for purchase, making it easier for households to start composting at home. Residents can contact Republic Services at 800-299-4898 to inquire about obtaining a bin.

Inglewood’s commitment to composting extends beyond individual households. Community gardens and urban farms serve as hubs for composting activities. These spaces often host composting sites, allowing residents to contribute their organic waste and learn about the process firsthand.

Local environmental groups collaborate with the city to promote composting. They organize workshops and provide resources to help residents understand the benefits and techniques of composting.

Inglewood’s Recycling Programs

Inglewood has implemented comprehensive recycling programs to reduce waste and promote sustainability. The city offers curbside recycling services for residents, collecting a wide range of recyclable materials.

Organic waste collection is a key component of Inglewood’s recycling efforts. Residents can place yard trimmings, food scraps, and other compostable materials in designated bins for collection. This program helps divert organic waste from landfills and supports the city’s composting initiatives.

Special recycling events are held throughout the year. These events allow residents to properly dispose of items like electronics, batteries, and hazardous waste. The city also provides information on recycling centers and drop-off locations for various materials.

Education and Composting Classes

Inglewood prioritizes educating residents about composting and waste reduction. The city partners with Los Angeles County to offer composting classes through the Smart Gardening program. These classes cover topics such as:

• Basic composting techniques
• Vermicomposting (composting with worms)
• Proper bin maintenance
• Troubleshooting common composting issues

Workshops are held at community centers and local gardens. They provide hands-on learning experiences and practical tips for successful composting. Participants often receive free educational materials and resources to support their composting efforts at home.

The City of Inglewood’s website features a composting guide with step-by-step instructions and best practices. This online resource helps residents start and maintain their composting systems effectively.