Consider the effect of input materials through the entire composting process: from the gathering of inputs, through the decomposition process, to the use of the finished compost.
Don’t put poison in a compost pile. That may seem obvious, but think carefully when defining what is “poisonous” to those in your household. Materials that are commonly used by many composters could be detrimental to someone who, for example, is allergic, has respiratory problems, or immune deficiencies.
When learning something new, people often forget to use the knowledge and wisdom they already have. Common sense is an important part of composting. Ultimately, you alone are responsible for what you include in your pile. You must use your own judgment to make decisions based on your particular situation.
Most home composters have a limited number of organic wastes to choose from. So,
(1) Research those materials that are available to you to discover any concerns associated with them. Consult healthcare, veterinarian, or nursery/agricultural professionals as necessary.
(2) Decide what level of risk you are willing to take.
(3) Factor in what you know about members of your household.
(4) Apply common sense precautions.
(5) Decide what you are going to compost.
CARDINAL RULE OF HOME COMPOSTING: If you are not comfortable putting something in your compost pile for any reason, don’t include it in your compost. Don’t feel guilty about not composting it. Do not use it. PERIOD.
General Considerations
Consider the effect of input materials through the entire composting process: from the gathering of inputs, through the decomposition process, to the use of the finished compost.
- Consider age and health issues of all people who could be working with the pile or could be exposed to the finished compost. The very old and very young may have less hardy immune systems. Special considerations related to pregnancy or other health conditions should be discussed with your doctor.
- Be wary of substances that might result in health issues for humans, pets, livestock, plants, or water sources.
- Factor in the end use of the compost, e.g. vegetable garden (intended for human consumption) vs. prize orchids (possible financial loss) vs. healthy lawn (non-edible, more resilient) vs. kids play area (bare feet, eating dirt, more fragile immune systems).
A Word on Internet Advice
You can find a lot of opinions on the Internet about what should and should not be composted, along with stories about things contributors claim they have composted. Some people are very conservative with their advice, while others are reckless, and the remainder are somewhere in between. How do you know what to believe?
You have to use your good judgment. Give more weight to information on official sites of universities and government agencies. Information on these sites is usually reliable and often based on documented studies. When evaluating information, look for factors such as the credentials of the source, whether or not they explain the reasoning behind their conclusions, if that logic makes sense to you, and what possible motivations they may have for influencing your decision.
Examples
Follow the links below for examples of various categories of concerns. These situations involve fairly common considerations. It is impossible to list every issue that might apply, so your specific concerns may not be listed here. However, reading through these examples may get your thought process started down the right path.
Mary Tynes, Master Composter, www.mastercomposter.com
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/18474854@N00/2916723522/
great post as usual!