the three r's

This year the big apple launched a fabulous program titled NYC Waste Less, where NYC residents were able to shovel and keep as much free compost as they could haul at several compost “give backs.” The golden soil came from the millions of Christmas trees and bags of leaves and other assorted yard waste New Yorkers produce each season. For me, the most exciting part of the give back this year—and what could possibly be more exciting then free recycled waste, you may ask—was the opportunity to buy my own composting bin, at a hugely discounted price! See photo.

I think I may be one of the rare and few people who actually feel guilty tossing an apple core into the garbage bag. It could be my early childhood conditioning watching my grandmother store all her kitchen scraps in a huge brown margarine container on the counter, then give to my grandfather so he could add it to the compost pile, out behind the sprawling garden. So, now I have installed a functional remedy for my guilt. Composting is an easy process with great benefits. Although the next door neighbor was quick to watch us assemble the plastic box and make sure that the “lid fit on really tight because squirrels are a big problem around here.” It does. Here are a couple composting links.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composting
http://www.gardenguides.com/how-to/tipstechniques/planning/compost.asp