"it's not economical for a household to compost. She says that the average household doesn't produce enough garden waste to even have a viable compost pile/bin."
I had thought that idea had been debunked thoroughly in the 1970's. It is not only economical but almost necessary given that we are rapidly running out of space to put our garbage. Landfill space is at a premium, unless we want to make more ski resorts for the winter. There are more landfill cells being closed today, because they are full, then are being opened, and dumping our trash in the oceans is not an option. There are, of course, some proposing to fillup space ships and send the stuff out there where eventually it will fall on us.

Allenwrench - if you are composting correctly, there should be absolutely no "sludge" to get all over your hands. Is there any aeration whatsover in all those trashcans? Because if you're getting "sludge" in any of them, that's a product of NO AIR.

Hey all! Thank you so much for your thoughts and opinions. As promised, I've posted several replies on my blog:

http://greenisthenewprada.blogspot.com

Enjoy!

Is is worth it? I think so. Beyond the obvious benefits for my garden and the savings I am hoping for in terms of having to buy compost for my garden, in our community and many of the communities around us, there is a maximum number of bags/barrels of trash that each household is allowed to put out. Anything over that limit I must pay for and in some communities all curbside pick-up is pay as you throw. NO yard waste is allowed in the trash, so if I wasn't composting I would have to drag it over to the town dump where they have a compost pile going--but they're not organic. I just started this year, I already have two piles one that is breaking down nicely (although slowly since I'm not very good about turning it), and the other is where I put all the new stuff. If I didn't have a compost pile I would definitely have a lot more trash out at my curb every week, and the additional expense of having it hauled away.

I think it is worth it. YOu can carry small amounts out daily rather than trying to drag 25-50 lb bags around the yard. I personally have been experiencing the difference that compost makes by observing the growth of plants I put in the front yard compared to the ones in the backyard.

The backyard isn't visible from the street so I have all sorts of lasagna beds back there. I dug up a strip in the front yard without using compost or rabbit cage droppings. The plants are so much smaller in front compared to the stuff growing in the composted areas in the back. Maybe your neighbor is a "Microwave" person. I need a better system to make just plain compost. But the lasagna beds are really productive. I have Roma Tomato bushes/trees! I have them planted in the lasagna beds that have been amended all winter and spring, including stuff out of the rabbit cages. So I have lush green plants that are now loaded down with tomatoes that are starting to get ripe.
Yep, it's worth it.

Chris, I don't think it has anything to do with age. Several of us, including me, are probably about the age of your grandparents and we've been composting forever. It has to do, I think, with people's attitudes about the environment and a willingness to do their part to help save it.

Is it worth it? I get this question all the time at work from my co-workers. I drag home perhaps a breadsack full of compostables a day, sometimes more. (It could be a LOT more but that's a whole other isssue) The guy I work with just doesn't get why I bother with one little ol' breadsack of potato peels or egg shells, and why I get so upset when he throws them away.

I tried explaining the landfill angle to him and that just went in one ear and out the other.

So the other day I told him I've been growing flowers in all those potato peels and flwoers that used to get "this big" without the kitchen scraps now get "THIS BIG" with the scraps. He finally understands. Some people just have to be shown.

Chris, I applaud your efforts to educate others. As you know, I have a daughter about your age. She's just rented a tiny little house that sits on two city lots. She bagged up her yard waste and offered to bring it to my compost bin next time she comes home. Sure I'll take it. But I asked her "Why aren't you starting your own compost pile?" Have I taught her nothing?

She wondered why she would need a compost pile. She's been gardening ALL HER LIFE and she asks me this!!!!

If a kid like her doesn't get why she needs a compost pile, is it any wonder less bright and less experienced gardeners don't see the need for compost.

Oh, and to answer the original question. It is SO worth it!

Of course it's worth it! You are so right in your reply. Your neighbor's comment that it's not economical to compost makes me wonder what kind of economics is she talking about? Does composting cost money? or just time?

My question is: is it worth it to spend the fuel, manpower, and valuable landfill space to throw away something that has great value, even in small household quantities, to our soil. Composting (or recycling organic material) should be mandatory! And what is a viable compost pile? Just throw your organic material in a pile out of the way and eventually it will become compost. No bin or expensive tumbler needed.

I'm a new gardener and I purchased organic fertilizer in the spring. My neighbor told me to watch, as to not burn my plants.

I thought about composting, but he said I would have to be concerned about attracting mice and rats.

Is there a way I could compost that doesn't involve kitchen scraps? Of what I've read, it seems important to have a balance of certain items... kitchen scraps included. Could I just used coffee grounds, egg shells and perhaps dead leaves?

Absolutely!

No need for kitchen scraps at all. Just make sure you have roughly equal amounts of "browns" (dried leaves, dried grass clippings, etc.) & "greens" (weeds, fresh brush & grass clippings, etc.). Keep the pile moist & turn it regularly & it'll "cook" down & turn into compost whether you use food scraps or not.

I've used kitchen scraps and haven't seen any mice or rats. Just make sure you don't use meat scraps.

I think it's totally worth it. I compost everything I can. I'd rather put it to some good use than throw it away!