11th Hour Racing is
Composting
#ForTheOcean
WHY COMPOST?
Let's dig into the significant Benefits of composting.
When it comes to composting, it’s easy to look down at decomposing banana peels and coffee grinds and ask, “What’s in that stuff? and what’s in it for me?”.
We’re glad you asked. Composting offers enormously outsized effects to the effort it takes, which directly benefits you. It creates cleaner air by reducing methane gases and carbon dioxide, provides healthier soil and crops and reduces chemical runoff into waterways. Simply put, the air you breathe, the food you eat, the water you drink and the ground you walk on all benefit from compost — as, of course, you do.
If we’re committed to achieving the United States’ goal of halving food loss and waste by 2030, composting must be part of the solution. As awareness of its benefits grows, cities are expanding the infrastructure to support it. Just as curbside recycling became standard after landfill overflow demanded change, many homes and schools now have access to excellent compost collection services
If you’re on this page, you’re likely interested in composting beyond personal gain.
% of All Food in the U.S. Goes Uneaten & Unsold
To put that in perspective, imagine throwing out more than a third of your food every time you filled up the fridge (refed.org).
Billion Pounds of Food Goes to Waste
Since Americans eat about 1,996 pounds of food a year, that means wasted food could feed 46 million Americans a year (Feeding America, NPR).
% of Food from Grocery Stores Is Thrown Away
That’s as if 3 out of every 10 rows of any grocery store went directly into a landfill (rts.com).
Feed the Earth, Nurture the Ocean
Support a Global Ecosystem
No matter where you live, what you do on land impacts the sea. Whether you live near the coast or far inland, everything trickles downstream, and by embracing compost, nature’s recycling, positively impacts the ocean.
Reduce Greenhouse Gases
The ocean absorbs most of the excess heat from greenhouse gas emissions, increasing ocean temperatures. This results in rising sea levels, collapsing food chains, extinction, coral bleaching, acidification, and violent weather events, to name a few. Every effort to reduce greenhouse gases benefits our ocean, and composting is one of the simplest.
Cut the Chemicals, Cue the Compost
Overuse of fertilizer on everything from farmlands to backyard gardens to lawns devastates ocean health. The chemicals travel downstream, creating toxic algae blooms that suffocate our seas. But when we use compost on soil, we reduce ocean-bound pollution and build healthy living soil that can sequester more carbon from the atmosphere.
Turn over a new leaf and Start Composting
UNCOVER How you can get involved right from home!
Composting is proof that the smallest of actions can have massive impacts. Banana peels and coffee grounds go from smelling up your kitchen to healing our air, soil and water.
You aren’t alone; many organizations pick up compost or accept drop-offs, making it easy for you to compost. For a complete list by area, check out the chart below.
Are you already composting? Help us encourage others to get involved. People who love the ocean, nature and gardening make a good audience.
Learn
to
compost
A Little Soil Searching
You don’t have to change your whole life to live sustainably. Composting can be easy and rewarding, but how you compost is up to you. Step 1: Decide whether to compost independently or with a collection service. Step 2: A little enthusiasm and a countertop bucket for kitchen scraps!
Convenience is my top priority!
Local, decentralized composting is a growing force for good and our list of service providers can provide you with a convenient, eco-friendly option that fits your lifestyle.
I'm ready to turn scraps into something amazing!
Awesome! A little prep work goes a long way. Make sure you have a good spot, the right materials and a basic understanding of what to compost and what to expect.
learn
to
compost
Location, Location, Location
You’ll want somewhere convenient and close but not so close that you’re bothered if there’s a little smell in warmer months. A dry, shady spot with access to water will work well.
which bin to put it in?
Build your own or buy a big bin, but generally speaking, you want a bin that contains the compost and enables you to turn it so the pile gets oxygen.
It’s all about that base (layer)
Create a base layer in your compost bin with a few inches of coarse materials like sticks, twigs or branches. This creates airflow and speeds up decomposition.
learn
to
compost
Compost Has Layers
Mix a 2:1 ratio of two parts carbon-rich brown layers, dried leaves, shredded cardboard/paper, straw and twigs, and one part nitrogen-rich green layers, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and plant clippings. Most backyard composters don’t add enough brown materials—when in doubt, add more leaves than food scraps.
Dampen the Mood
Keep the compost moist but not soaking wet. Check the moisture regularly. If it’s too wet, add brown material to absorb moisture; if it’s too dry, add water.
Break it Down Now
Chop, shred and break down larger items you intend to compost. Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Learn
to
compost
Turn, Baby, Turn
Occasionally, use a pitchfork or gardening tool to turn and mix up the compost. Additional oxygen speeds up composting and reduces odors.
Go Ahead and Gatekeep
Keep problematic items out of your compost. Some foods attract pests, while other items can harm the quality of the soil. Unless you’re an expert, keep meat, dairy, pet waste and diseased plants out of your
Reap from the Heap!
After a few months, your pile of twigs and kitchen scraps will transform into lush, dark, earth-scented compost. This healthy material is ready to enrich the soil in your garden or indoor plants.
Learn
to
compost
A Little Soil Searching
You don’t have to change your whole life to live sustainably. Composting can be easy and rewarding, but how you compost is up to you. Step 1: Decide whether to compost independently or with a collection service. Step 2: A little enthusiasm and a countertop bucket for kitchen scraps!
Learn
to
compost
Convenience is my top priority!
Local, decentralized composting is a growing force for good and our list of service providers can provide you with a convenient, eco-friendly option that fits your lifestyle.
Learn
to
compost
I'm ready to turn scraps into something amazing!
Awesome! A little prep work goes a long way. Make sure you have a good spot, the right materials and a basic understanding of what to compost and what to expect.
learn
to
compost
Location, Location, Location
You’ll want somewhere convenient and close but not so close that you’re bothered if there’s a little smell in warmer months. A dry, shady spot with access to water will work well.
learn
to
compost
which bin to put it in?
Build your own or buy a big bin, but generally speaking, you want a bin that contains the compost and enables you to turn it so the pile gets oxygen.
learn
to
compost
It’s all about that base (layer)
Create a base layer in your compost bin with a few inches of coarse materials like sticks, twigs or branches. This creates airflow and speeds up decomposition.
learn
to
compost
Compost Has Layers
Mix a 2:1 ratio of two parts carbon-rich brown layers, dried leaves, shredded cardboard/paper, straw and twigs, and one part nitrogen-rich green layers, fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee grounds, and plant clippings. Most backyard composters don’t add enough brown materials—when in doubt, add more leaves than food scraps.
learn
to
compost
Dampen the Mood
Keep the compost moist but not soaking wet. Check the moisture regularly. If it’s too wet, add brown material to absorb moisture; if it’s too dry, add water.
learn
to
compost
Break it Down Now
Chop, shred and break down larger items you intend to compost. Smaller pieces decompose faster.
Learn
to
compost
Turn, Baby, Turn
Occasionally, use a pitchfork or gardening tool to turn and mix up the compost. Additional oxygen speeds up composting and reduces odors.
Learn
to
compost
Go Ahead and Gatekeep
Keep problematic items out of your compost. Some foods attract pests, while other items can harm the quality of the soil. Unless you’re an expert, keep meat, dairy, pet waste and diseased plants out of your
Learn
to
compost
Reap from the Heap!
After a few months, your pile of twigs and kitchen scraps will transform into lush, dark, earth-scented compost. This healthy material is ready to enrich the soil in your garden or indoor plants.
What should and Should Not go in a compost pile?
What you put in a compost pile or in the bin of a pickup service varies depending on a few factors. Check-in with your local program or get a detailed list from The Ocean Lovers Guide to Compost.
Download the GuideFind a Compost Service:
Want to dig a little deeper?
Sign up for special updates from 11th Hour Racing, and get a copy of The Ocean Lovers Guide to Compost! We’ll send you more information about composting opportunities, including national resources and backyard composting options.
Compost Resources
We’ve gathered a selection of reliable resources—some connected to programs we fund and others not. We know there’s much more out there; consider this a starting point for your journey!
Thank you to our partners and collaborators for helping to amplify The Ocean Lovers Guide to Compost by sharing it with their communities.
