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Any eco-human worth her or his organic sea salt knows reduce, reuse, and recycle. But there's a fourth "R": Rot, as in "the process of allowing natural materials to decompose (break down) due of natural chemical reactions or be aided by fungi, bacteria and insects. Rot can be considered a natural recycling process."
Perhaps the most common and accessible version of rot is composting, a method for "treating solid waste in which organic material is broken down by microorganisms in the presence of oxygen to a point where it can be safely stored, handled and applied to the environment." According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the process can enrich soils, help clean-up contaminated soil, prevent pollution, and offer economic benefits. Getting started is relatively uncomplicated. For apartment-dwelling greenies, Jenn of Tiny Choices offers four simple ways we can all participate in this "wholesome and environmentally sound pastime from the comfort and safety of our own homes."
