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On The Environment A Prior to the conveniences of home garbage collection, our parents and grandparents were composting their household waste in a (common sense) desire to reduce the amount of garbage they needed to burn or bury. Composting, for anyone who doesn't know, is a process of promoting the decomposition of plant and animal matter into a black, soil-like substance which can be used as a low grade fertilizer. Composting can be done in anyone's backyard (that includes you), in a barrel, a bin or just in a pile. Many agencies, including the Region of Durham, have in- formation available on the best methods for backyard com- posting. If used properly, these techniques reduce the poten- tial nuisances of odours, animals and unsightly appearance. Properly employed, composting techniques can reduce house- hold garbage by 35 per cent - a real savings for our landfills. So how does one go about composting? The first step is to find a place, or build a container for the organic waste in your backyard, preferably close to, or in your garden. If the or- derliness of a bin suits your purposes, then you may chose from several simple designs including a basic drum bin (with a pipe aeration stack in the centre), a cement block bin (stacked in a horseshoe), or even a snow fence bin (a piece of fencing pulled around in a circle). These methods are inexpensive and can be put together from recycled building materials. When the area in the backyard is arranged, then it is a matter of collecting leaves, grass and kitchen waste to put into it. The tried and true method for gathering "wet" waste is to have a "slop pail" under the kitchen sink. As food is being pre- pared, or scraps are removed from the table, it is a simple step to drop them in the bucket under the sink. If one develops a routine of taking the pail out once a day, there is little chance of unpleasant odours. Additionally, there will be less garbage to carry to the curb, and no worry about messy leaks. Experts warn that some foodstuffs, meat bones and fatty foods, are best placed in the garbage as they are slow to break down. Once the organic waste reaches the compost bin, there are a few things to consider. The carbon to nitrogen ratio of the organic material in your compost determines how quickly the microbes will work. The ideal ratio of 30:1 can be achieved by mixing two parts grass clippings with one part fal- len leaves. These materials can be layered, or better still, they can be shredded and thoroughly mixed. Additionally, by turn- ing the compost frequently, and adding water periodically, the pile can work fast and efficiently, even during the winter. -- PORT PERRY STAR -- Tuesday, September 26, 1989 -- 31 Sam Cureatz (M.P.P. for Durham East), Clarence Burgess (song writer), Norah Herd (archivist for Oshawa), Robert Snetsinger (President of the Upper Canada Branch of the U.E.L.), Tommy Cinnamon (member of musical group Moxey-Whitney), and local author Bill Graham were all on hand for the United Empire Loyalists' first meeting of the season at the Scugog Shores Museum. In addition to a fine meal provided by the Museum ladies, Bill Graham also related some of the history of Reach Township from his book on Green- bank. The U.E.L. meet six times each year at the Whitby Library. In May all 26 branches will attend the National Conference, to be held in Oshawa. SWITCH TO WHERE THE SMART MONEY IS GETTING MORE INTEREST THE PRIME RATE SAVINGS . ACCOUNT . . . and watch your savings grow! Get higher daily interest than the banks offer. Plus: e special bonus rates on accounts over $3,000 ¢ $50 and $25 cash bonus for transfer fron another financial - Institution free chequing privileges on balances over $500 © choice of Passbook or Monthly Statement. STANDARD TRUST Member - Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation 'port perry. 989-8435 * Over $1.6 Billion in assets * Serving over 150,000 Canadians nation-wide Coleman. You've seen the light. Now feel the comfort. Coleman means quality. Always has. Always will. ) v/ Coleman, ARN HEATING & AIR CONDITIONING AY Coleman's T.H.E. Il Deluxe Heat Pump CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONING in the summer and more even comfort all winter long. \ EAN GS NY NT NTF NTT TD A ------ A -------------- aS MONEY SAVING HEATING SAVE up to 30% on your electric heating bills with Coleman's T.H.E. Il Deluxe Heat Pump. EXAMPLE: (2 1/2 Ton Unit has S.E.E.R. Rating 12.0, C.O.P. 3.72) EnerMark «LOAN PLAN TheBectricity People W« -- LOW MONTHLY PAYMENTS - 11.75% AIR CONTROL HEATING and AIR CONDITIONING LTD. 600 EUCLID ST., WHITBY 686-3511 or 430-3633 4.38 Serving the Durham Region. Residential, Commercial & Custom Homes. rnanceosy ve § Scotiabank