It seems everywhere we look these days people and companies are "going green". We make sure to use reusable bags at the grocery store, we take public transportation, we recycle our T.A.G. (tin, aluminum, glass) items but what if we could reduce our household trash by 60 per cent and could do it all in the comfort of our own homes?

According to statistics, more than 60 per cent of household waste in the United States and Bermuda is recyclable or compostable.

As the general public becomes more aware and educated on how they can reduce their "carbon footprint", people are looking to for the next green step they can take. Composting is one such way.

Composting, which involves mixing garden and household waste in a pile or bin, results in a decomposition that eventually can be used as nutrient-rich soil and fertiliser.

The decomposition process is fueled by millions of microscopic organisms (bacteria, fungi) that take up residence inside the compost pile, continuously working to recycle it into useable and helpful material that your garden will thank you for.

Anyone who has tried to plant flowers during the summer months in Bermuda will tell you, trying to keep the soil moist is a continual task.

Compost can help by building good soil structure that enables it to retain nutrients, water and air and can protect against drought when it is used as mulch.

Capitalising on the enviro-trend, Aberfeldy Nurseries in Warwick has been holding free educational gardening seminars to introduce a wide range of topics to novice and advanced green thumbs.

Last week's seminar on composting was a success with more than 30 people in attendance and more interested customers phoning the nursery the next day with inquiries.

"It was a good crowd," explained Bobby Baron, president of Aberfeldy Nurseries. "We felt it was very well attended with a lot of people asking interesting questions."

While composting is becoming more popular all over the world, residents in Bermuda are finding that perhaps it will soon become a necessity for everyone to do.

"Composting is very important. Bermuda hasn't got the space to keep putting everything into the landfills. Composting is definitely becoming more important and it's a convenient way to get rid of household waste.

"People are becoming more interested in it now that they see and hear about it on TV and magazines," said Julie Greaves, sales manager and seminar coordinator for Aberfeldy.

Some who attended the seminar were experts and ardent supporters of composting while others were curious and well intentioned but didn't know how to go about starting their own compost pile.

"It's not a complicated process at all," said Ms Greaves. "All you need is a basic understanding of a few principles and a little elbow grease. Nature will take care of the rest."

To help those thinking about composting and those who are ready to jump right in, Ms Greaves broke down the process.

Understanding composting

The four elements of compost include carbon (brown material such as ashes from wood, shredded cardboard, fruit waste, leaves, peanut shells, stems and twigs, dryer lint), nitrogen (green material such as coffee grounds, food waste, garden waste, grass clippings, rinsed seaweed, vegetable scraps, old plants), air and water in approximately the right proportions.

Ms Greaves explained that the general rule of thumb is for every 15 to 30 parts brown carbon material add one part green nitrogen material.

What to compost in

Some choose to have an open compost pile but for beginners and people with smaller yards and gardens, it is suggested to use a plastic bin. The bins available at Aberfeldy are approximately three to four feet in height and hold an estimated five gallons of compost. The Ministry of Works & Engineering also offers a backyard bin, The Earth Machine, for sale as well.

Materials to avoid

Not everything can be included in a compost heap and those items include meat, bones, fish fats and dairy. Mr Greaves explained that these products can overheat your pile not to mention make it smelly and attract unwanted pests. Other items to avoid is coloured paper due to the heavy mental content in the ink, inorganic matter that does not break down like glass, plastic, aluminum foil, rubber and metals; dog and cat litter and synthetic materials.

Elements of decomposition

Moisture

The microbes that do the actual decomposing require water for survival and they best function when the compost materials are about as moist as a wrung out sponge. Too much water, says Ms Greaves, will make the compost pile become slimy and smelly. If the pile gets to wet, add more brown material. The more green material that goes into the pile, the less water you need.

Aeration

Microbes also need oxygen to survive as well. Use a pitch fork or spade to turn the material so oxygen permeates throughout. Can't picture yourself doing that*?>* Then the tumbler bin is for you, which is a barrel turn on its side that allows you to rotate it without getting your hands dirty.

Temperature

As the bacteria does its magic, heat is generated, which raises the temperature of the material and speeds up decomposition. Ms Greaves notes that even if your compost pile doesn't become hot, it will still work but at a much slower rate. To speed things up, add more brown carbon material.

Speed up the process

Ms Greaves offers three tips to turn your household waste into garden gold as quickly as possible. "Chop and shread your leaves. Run the lawn mower over them," she explained. "Then turn, turn and turn your pile. Lastly, the more items you add to the pile at one time, the more the compost will heat up" thus speeding up the process.

Don't be deterred

Ms Greaves said the biggest concern that she hears from people about starting their own compost pile is the fear of attracting rodents and other pests. "This shouldn't be the case," she explained. "If you have the right mix of green and brown material in an enclosed bin, it shouldn't be an issue."

Finished product

According to Ms Greaves, the compost is ready to go into your garden when it's a dark, rich colour, crumbles easily and the original materials are unrecognisable. "This process can take anywhere between three to 12 months," she said.

For more information about home composting or to purchase a compost bin, contact Aberfeldy Nursery at 236-2927 or at www.aberfeldy.bm or Vanese Gordon at the Ministry of Works & Engineering at 297-7953.