• Public compost programs help reduce environmental pollutionpollution image by Joseph Chiapputo from Fotolia.com
  
  When solid waste is incinerated publicly it releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere and contributes to the warming effect on Earth's climate. Recycling reduces gas-producing waste in public landfills and provides nutrient-rich compost for public and private landscape use. Many local city governments have public programs to educate citizens about recycling and backyard composting. Homemade compost is a nutrient-rich source of fertilizer and soil amendment that is made from decomposed kitchen scraps and yard trimmings.
  
  

Municipal Composting

• The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency provides a Municipal Government Toolkit (MGTK) for state and local governments to start recycling programs. It is a compilation of fact sheets, case studies and links to online resources to start or improve community recycling. Large-scale recycling programs help eliminate toxic methane gas in the environment by reducing the volume of organic materials in public landfills. Urban organic waste is removed from the waste stream through home composting and large-scale industrial composting. The EPA toolkit provides a step-by-step program to create a municipal recycling/composting program, from establishing a recycling team to determining the scope of local waste and finally, setting reduction goals.
  
  

Vermicompost

• The Maryland State Department of the Environment assists local townships in complying with state requirements to recycle 15 to 20 percent of municipal solid waste.Vermicompost is one of the programs promoted as a home-composting method. Worm compost is richer in nitrogen and phosphorus than typical compost. The Maryland Recycling Act provides funds for classroom education on environmental issues. "How to Build a Worm Farm" is a simple classroom or home project that teaches children about the decomposition process of soil and the nutrient value of earthworms in soil.
  
  

Backyard Composting

• Community recycling programs, such as the Smart Gardening Program in Los Angeles, California, teach residents about the benefits and the biology of backyard composting."When you practice the techniques of Smart Gardening, you will conserve water and energy, save time and money, improve your yard and garden, recycle yard waste and kitchen scraps, reduce waste going to our landfills, and help preserve the environment," according to the Smart Gardening website. Workshops given at the 11 citywide learning centers provide hands-on instruction in composting and worm composting. Residents can purchase compost bins and worm compost bins for a low fee. The website provides simple instructions for backyard composting as well as water-wise gardening.