The Difference Between Composting and Recycling

When people usually think about becoming more environmentally friendly the slogan “reduce, reuse and recycle” is brought up. From a young age we are taught that these 3 words are the key to becoming more sustainable, while this is definitely a good start and everyone should follow those 3 rules it is not the only or easiest way you can help the environment. Recycling is important because it helps us reduce the amount of plastic and materials that end up in landfills and the ocean. But what about the food product that is often held in these recycled containers? This food should be composted.

What is recycling?

When we think of recycling it is in terms of plastic and cardboard containers, but recycling is much more than that. It is the process of converting waste materials into new materials and objects. Recycling is important because it helps to reduce the need for extracting new raw materials that creates new air and water pollution. It also helps to save energy and reduce greenhouse gases that affect climate change. By recycling we also help to reduce the amount of chemicals burned in incinerators and released into the air.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson recently made headlines with a comment saying “recycling plastics doesn’t work”. What we think he meant when saying this was “recycling plastics doesn’t begin to address the problem, instead we all have got to cut down our use of plastics.” Boris Johnson was saying that instead of still using plastic products and recycling, people should cut down on the plastic products they are using. Although he didn’t convey the message correctly, the idea does hold some truth. Recycling does work but is not the solution, so single use plastics should be cut out and the UK is taking significant steps in that direction. Plastic straws have been replaced with paper, and customers are charged for single use plastic bags, but is that enough?

England currently has plans to increase its recycling because it does result in lower carbon emissions in comparison to having to create new materials. Even though Boris Johnson does not think that recycling is effective, the UK has no plans to stop any of their recycling programs.

Currently all eyes are on the COP26 which is the United Nations Conference on Climate Change. The purpose of COP26 is for the United Nations to work together to enable and encourage countries affected by climate change to protect and restore ecosystems. This year's conference is considered to be one of the most important because experts are urging countries to begin to make dramatic changes away from fossil fuels to help combat increasing global warming and climate change.

What is composting?

Composting is taking decomposing plants and food waste to create a rich fertiliser for plants. Composting is a form of recycling organic matter like food leftovers or leaves, into a fertiliser that is rich in nutrients for plants. Composting can take place anywhere, in a cafe, hotel kitchen or family home, once food is eaten similar to when you sort recycling it is just one more step. Any food scraps left on the plate that would normally get thrown out can now go into your composting bucket that should be filled with dirt. Once you put the food scraps in, mix the dirt and scraps and you’re done! The compost will turn into a rich dark brown colour and you know it’s ready to use as fertiliser.

Recycling plastics, switching to non-single use plastics and composting are three simple things everyone can do in their day to day life to help reduce global warming. Recycling plastics is easy and simple, most cafes and places in the United Kingdom have separate bins for different types of trash, one for recycling, one for general waste and now one for food. In the future single use plastics will be even less accessible than they are now but until then a simple swap we can make in our everyday lives is no longer using plastic bags at the grocery store, bring a reusable bag with you (it will also save you money). Composting after meals if you haven’t eaten all of your food, it helps your plants grow better and reduces food waste. And don’t forget, keep them separate as the cleaner the material to be recycled is, the better the result.

Even with COP26 currently happening, no matter what comes out of it nothing will be an overnight solution that will solve global warming. However, enacting these simple changes into your life will help reduce your carbon footprint and if enough people do that then big change will happen.