Estimate compost output from your kitchen and yard waste.
Composting is the aerobic decomposition of organic matter into nutrient-rich humus. The ideal carbon-to-nitrogen (C:N) ratio is 25-30:1. "Greens" (fruit scraps, grass clippings) are nitrogen-rich (C:N ~15-25:1), while "browns" (dry leaves, cardboard) are carbon-rich (C:N ~50-80:1). Organic waste typically loses 50-60% of its mass through composting as water and CO2 are released. The resulting compost is a powerful soil amendment: it improves water retention by up to 20%, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and suppresses plant diseases. Composting food waste instead of sending it to landfill prevents methane production — food in anaerobic landfill conditions generates methane, a greenhouse gas 80x more potent than CO2 over 20 years. Home composting can divert 200+ kg of waste per household annually.