I’d like to compost our kitchen waste (peels, etc.) just to reduce waste, but I don’t have a garden, and so no need for the resulting compost. Any ideas on what I could do with it?
If your area has a community garden, offer it to them.
Hi, for several months now I’ve been thinking and imagining a perfect and better world for everyone. Ideas in my head from edible lawns, composting centers in every town, electric and solar cars, healthier and more fit people,and more help for the unfortunate and the mentally ill, for example. So I thought about it for a while and decided that change starts with yourself. I know small steps are the best ones and I asked my parents if I could build a vegetable garden and at first they were apprehensive but they eventually obliged. So me and my dad built a extremely small vegetable garden, (whitch is doing pretty good right now). So I felt good and felt like I got off to a good start. I was using a small tin garbage can to compost with, I put in kitchen scraps, grass clipping, ect. But I know thats not the right way to compost, so I asked my dad and my mom if I could build a -real- compost bin, but they were very against it (they kept on saying about all the bad things about it, -too much space- -eyesore- -smells bad -rats- ect.) But my dad said we would do a small one (here we go again) on the side of the house behind the fence. Its been 5 weeks since he said that and I keep on asking him and he says hes so busy, and he has no time, but I feel that theres no way he couldn’t have time. He watches tv for like 1.5 hours a day and its not like Im asking him to get the whole thing done in one day either. My parents also are against taking me to the gym to workout. They say I dont need to workout that much, its takes to much time. They also Always say -you went to the gym yesterday- as an excuse. (which makes me mad) So I only bet to go about 3 days a week and usually 2 of those days my sister takes me. But I jog and play tennis so its okay but I’d like to go more often. They also don’t want to switch to energy saving light bulbs, my dad says they’re too expensive even after I explain to him it will save money in the long run and he says the light isn’t bright on them. I asked if i could get two hens (a week or two ago), but you should have seen their reaction when I asked them. Then they said -what are you going to want next, an elephant- I wanted to expand my garden for the fall but my dad is also procrastinating that and he never wants to take the time do something. He also says doing thats expensive but i told him when you harvest you get your money back 10 fold! Any way, those are just a few examples of how my parents are the average dumb Americans who are set in their ways, but do any of you have any advice on what I can tell them or do to inspire them just like I have been?
I can relate, I tried to persuade my sisters on some of my green habits but unfortunately in my country being green is like being a Nerd. I came to realize that you can’t always change people.
My philosophy of life is live and let live, which means that I never assume my point of view is the only right point of view. The truth is no one can be sure their ideas are the only right ones. They may be rigt for one but not for someone else. But that cuts both ways, just as I respect their right to their own way of thinking and living, so I insist people respect my sometimes unpopular ideas and ways.
recognizing this, I decided to do the following:
the course of action that worked the best for me.
First consider that your parents can and will be receptive to you if you are respectful and polite. Write down all the reasons you think you should change your way of life and all the changes you want to make. Be sure to really honestly examine these. Then when you are calm and not nervous or angry or frustrted ask your parents for an audience
First ask what are their objections to your request and why they think these are good. Have them explain this to you. Do not act too defensive or aggravated, really try to understand them and listen to their reasoning. But still be firm, you probably wont agree after you heard them out, but remeber they have a right to think and live this way. But you have the same right, so a compromise is in order, say so and say why (with all due respect and composure) If they refuse to discuss this, point out that you love them even if you disagree on this points and that you are prepared to pursue your ideas and also to agree to disagree. Once you have heard everything they have to say and you have honestly looked at it present your arguments. Politely and aim to explain, not assert. Get their opinion on your points and consider it as well. Begin negotiations to reach acceptable compromizes for both sides.
But if all of this fails, remember that you own your own life and it’s direction, you may be dependent on your parents now, but that wont always be true. So start seeing how you can do some of this things on your own, save some money and buy some composting red worms, not expensive at all.
do all the little things you can now and remember these count more than you think. You are a brave young person and I salute your efforts. You and people like you are the best hope for this world.
tell me everything u know about compost. I’m trying to find a way to make a compost bin that costs me almost nothing, i have some junk wood, i might use it, but i don’t want it to fall apart quickly….thanks
To build mine I just took 3 old pallets and put them on end and staked them into place to form a 3 sided wall. I turned up the ground that was with in it and then you just add grass clippings, leaves, kitchen scraps like vegetables, fruit, banana peels, egg shells, coffee grounds and the like. Don’t put meat, oils or leftover bones from your steak in there. I also would not put branches in there. When you get a good pile established, you can water it every so often or let the rain water it. This helps the decomposing process. Every couple of weeks or so, I turn the pile over with a pitch fork to help thing decompose quicker. Don’t worry if you see steam, this just means that your compost pile is working. When you get some nice "dirt", you can mix that with your soil for some natural fertilizer.
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