Hi friends,

Autumn is just around the corner and we at The Well Daily are on the lookout for ways to connect with the earth in this gorgeous season. It's the perfect time to start a green habit and this one is easier than you might think.

xoxo,

Sukey

Want to try composting but don’t know a thing about it? Hesitant because you don't have much space? Read these fundamentals and you'll be ready to take your recycling to the next level with ease.

What Is Composting? Composting is the process of decomposing organic material into humus, which is the organic matter in soil that is nutrient-dense. Adding compost to soil improves the overall health of the soil and prevents erosion and healthier soil means fewer fertilizers and more nutritious food. Plus, composting reduces the amount of waste going to landfills.

How Do I Compost? The process itself is easy. If you have a yard, start a compost pile and collect your food scraps there. If not, most cities have compost drop-off sites and many farmers markets accept food scraps. Collect them in a plastic bag or bowl with a lid in your freezer, and when it's full, drop it off. If you're worried that your compost will smell, try a compost pail with a charcoal filter. You can even purchase a compost pail for your kitchen on GoodShop to make a donation to Joyful Heart with your purchase, at no cost to you. Be sure to select the Joyful Heart Foundation as your cause when you're browsing, or click here to download the toolbar.

When you're ready to get started, just follow these guidelines.

What to Compost:

• Fruit and vegetable peels, rinds and pits
• Non-greasy food scraps like bread and grains
• Tea bags
• Coffee grounds and filters
• Eggshells
• Newspaper, napkins and paper towels
• Grass and lawn clippings and leaves
• Hay and straw
• Weeds, cut or dried flowers and potting soil
• Wood chips and sawdust

What NOT to Compost:

• Chemically treated wood
• Diseased plants
• Human or pet waste
• Meat, fish, bones, dairy, nuts or other fatty foods like cooking oil
• Inorganic materials like aluminum, plastic or glass

The Well Wisdom: What about composting cooked food? Cooked food can be composted as long as it does not contain dairy, meat or fats. It rots quickly, though, so many city-dwellers living in small spaces stick to basic food scraps like peels, rinds and coffee grounds.