DANVILLE, Ill. – Roughly 25% of kitchen scraps end up in the landfill, but there is a way to reduce that waste and create something useful at the same time. Composting is the equivalent of recycling, except the products are food, such as coffee grounds, eggshells and melon rinds.

According to the EPA, when compost is mixed with soil, it increases the organic matter, adds nutrients, and improves plant health. Composting can decrease the need for chemical fertilizers and lower your carbon footprint, says Ryan Pankau, University of Illinois Extension Horticulture educator. 

Pankau will present a free online webinar, Guide to Composting, at 6 p.m. July 21 and discuss composting basics, including varieties of composting bins, such as handmade structures using repurposed materials. "With more people gardening, this is a great time to learn how to transform kitchen scraps into black gold for your plants and garden," Pankau says.

There is no charge to attend this presentation, and attendees must register to receive instructions for connecting. If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate, please call the Extension office at 217.442.8615. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time for meeting your access needs.

Source: Jenney Hanrahan, Extension Horticulture Program Coordinator, 217.442.8615, jhanraha@illinois.edu