A Composter's Christmas Carol

 As the holiday nears, I love spending time going over some favorite festive movies, and how I can apply lessons from the characters to my own life. A classic Christmas tale: A Christmas Carol, uses the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future to teach us lessons. But what advice could these ghosts have for Confessions of a Composter?

Well, the Ghost of Christmas Past has a few reminders about your compost pile from last year. You remember? That finished, turned, compost that’s been curing in your bin? It may be a good idea to find storage for this compost, as composting takes longer in the winter, so you may need some extra space in your compost bins to accommodate the extra material. 

The Ghost of Christmas Present reminds us to make choices during the holiday season that keep materials out of the landfill and to make mindful purchases, while still enjoying the holiday season and celebrating. Buy wrapping paper that is compostable: without glitter or foil. You can also make all sorts of compostable decorations. Stick to natural garland, and try out making decorations from dried orange peels or from cranberries, which would be welcome additions to your compost pile after the holiday comes to a close.

The Ghost of Christmas Future is planning ahead, but is still keeping the Christmas spirit by thinking of others. Would someone that you know want to receive a compost bin as a Christmas present this year? It may be a good idea, but maybe isn’t the best to keep as a surprise. If you are considering gifting a backyard compost bin to a friend, ask to make sure they are ready to commit to taking care of it- but if they are, you just helped a friend begin a new, eco friendly practice that keeps on giving.

Guest Blogger: Sam Plante