Composting is a natural process that turns food scraps and yard waste into rich soil. Instead of throwing away fruit peels, vegetable scraps, and grass clippings, you can put them in a compost bin. Tiny organisms like bacteria and fungi break down the waste into nutrients that help plants grow.
To make good compost, you need a mix of "green" materials and "brown" materials. Green materials include fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and fresh grass clippings. Brown materials include dry leaves, newspaper, and cardboard. You also need air and water. Turn the compost pile every few weeks to add oxygen. In a few months, the waste transforms into dark, crumbly compost that looks like soil. Adding compost to gardens helps plants grow stronger and healthier. Composting also reduces the amount of trash going to landfills, which helps protect the environment.