Container Composting for Kids
You may wonder what composting has to do with music. The answer? Well, usually nothing. But this month we’re reading all about the Recycled Orchestra of Cateura, Paraguay. They are a group of young musicians that takes the trash dumped in the town’s landfill and uses it to make musical instruments.
Ada’s Violin by Susan Hood, is a wonderful picture book that tells the story of how Ada Ríos and her sister, in need of an after-school activity, became part of the group formed by environmental technician, Favio Chávez. Chávez knew that “real” instruments would be too expensive for the children of Cateura (where many families live on just a few dollars a day) to purchase and that even if he could have them donated, they would surely be stolen. So with the help of Nicolas Gonzales he created instruments out of items found in the dump and the Recycled Orchestra was born.
While the children of Cateura were able to turn the trash that was literally littering their neighborhoods into something wonderful, there are many towns that aren’t as lucky. More than 2 BILLION tons of garbage ends up in the world’s landfills each year and 20% of that is food waste. Yes, 20% of what we throw away…is food.
Many people assume that food will decompose in a landfill, and eventually it does. Without light and oxygen, however, the process takes longer and releases the toxic gas methane into the air. Methane gas is harmful to the ozone layer-the part of the atmosphere that helps protect us from the sun’s harmful rays.
So, to help reduce the amount of food waste we throw away, we can compost it! Compost is a type of soil that is full of nutrients that plants will love. Composting is very easy to do. You can start with just a small container and then, when you’re ready, move to a larger space out doors. Your garden and the ozone layer will thank you!
Container Composting-Procedure
Follow these steps to watch your food waste turn to soil right before your eyes!
Materials: small container, soil, food scraps, leaves/grass, warm water (if using compressed soil cakes)
Place two compressed soil cakes into your jar with about one-half (1/2) of a cup of warm water.
Wait one minute while the soil expands. You can break up the soil a bit if desired.
Place a small amount of food waste on top of the soil. Fruit or veggie peels are best.
Cover your food waste with a layer of dry, dead leaves or grass.
Place the third soil cake onto your container lid.
Pour about one-fourth (1/4) of a cup of warm water onto the third soil cake.
Wait one minute while the soil expands.
Crumble the soil into your container on top of the dead leaves/grass.
Close the lid*, label your jar with the date and place the container in a well-lit area.
Watch and observe! It may be several days before you notice any changes so be patient!
*Remember, food needs oxygen to break down. If you can safely leave the lid off of your container, this is best. If not, try removing the lid every couple of days for a few minutes to let the soil and food waste "breathe."
So what do you think? Ready to graduate to outdoor composting and reduce the amount of food waste. you and your family send to the landfill? Comment below if you’re thinking. of giving it a try!
Not a subscriber but want in on this fun project? You can purchase the materials, the book Ada’s Violin and everything else that comes with it in the Ada’s Violin Earth Day Box!
Return to online resources.