About a year ago, I mixed some soil with compost to enhance my native meadow, but it turned out to be filled with junk like glass, cans, and loads of plastic. I removed as much as I could, but by then, it was too late. Then, I made the mistake of getting a yard of what was supposed to be just compost, and surprise, it was again filled with trash. I tried raking up the junk and have it stored in an old planter in the back of my yard. Recently, I watched a video discussing microplastics and their impact on the ecosystem, and it made me realize I need to get rid of this plastic for good. Picking it up by hand isn't a solution I'm satisfied with, so I'm looking for effective methods to truly clean it out. I've learned that my city collects tree waste one month and regular trash the next, which ends up at Living Earth, where they don't seem to check for quality. My compost is probably packed with all sorts of random and toxic waste. **Is there a better way to remove the plastics from the compost in my yard?**
2 Answers
Making your own compost might be the way to go if you haven't tried that yet! As for dealing with the trash, you could try using a garden sieve to filter out some of the larger bits, but tiny pieces will be tricky. For future composting, maybe consider sourcing from stables or other places that might have cleaner options. I know it doesn’t solve the current problem, but it might be a good alternative!
You’re definitely not alone in this struggle! Many composting companies have issues with plastic contamination. My local one has been battling it for years, and while they’re working to filter it, there’s still some plastic that sneaks through. Unfortunately, there’s no magic fix for it, but I totally sympathize with your situation.
Thanks for the empathy! I guess I’ll just have to pick out what I can and maybe try my hand at making my own compost!
I can definitely make my own compost; I just haven’t gotten around to it yet!