Yard and Kitchen Waste Composting Like household hazardous waste management, composting of yard waste and kitchen scraps is outside the legislated purview of the Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention. But they can also be integral to an effective waste reduction plan and Ohio’s network of solid waste management districts are obliged to help citizens keep yard waste out of landfills.  The Division of Recycling and Litter Prevention partnered with the Ohio Grocers Association to launch a statewide campaign to divert organics from the waste stream. Leaves and yard trimmings and food waste make up 23 percent of the material Americans send to the landfill, which is a tremendous waste of landfill space and natural resources. Composting hastens the decay of organic material so it can be returned to the soil in a form usable by plants, and the idea is catching on. In 1999, 45.3 percent of the nation’s yard waste was diverted from the waste stream and composted, while only 2.2 percent of food waste got put back in circulation. Composting in Ohio Making your own soil for your plants from your own yard trimmings and food scraps is the most satisfying composting system for home gardeners. Home composting also gives you a chance to compost egg shells and vegetable food scraps that you don’t have with most public composting systems. The Ohio Cooperative Extension Service has an excellent pamphlet, “Composting at Home,” online. If you do not have the space or inclination to maintain your own compost heap, contact your local recycling and litter prevention office to find out about local alternatives. Many communities pick up yard waste in regular collections, others make arrangements with waste haulers, landfill operators and other private contractors, but your recycling office will know who to contact and how the local system operates. Even if you have a compost heap, you can save time and money by using the public system for recycling large branches and Christmas trees. Conservation benefits of composting Applying compost in your yard and garden improves the soil and encourages healthier plants. Beyond beautifying the landscape, healthy plants help clean the air and protect soil from erosion. Using compost can reduce or eliminate the use of chemical herbicides, pesticides and fertilizers. The overuse of synthetic chemicals has been a leading cause of water pollution.