— In 2014, the U.S. created more than 38 million tons of food waste, according to the E.P.A. Food waste can be recycled/reused/regenerated into compost. Compost is nutrient rich food to use in your garden, lawn and houseplants. Compostings transforms organic matter thru natural decompostion. Using compost helps loosen clay soils, helps sandy soils retain water, reduces reliability on synthetic fertilizers, and is a good way to teach kids about the importance of finding a use for everything. All organic material eventually decomposes. The speed of the decomposing depends of certain factors: carbon to nitrogen ratio (called greens to browns), amount of surface area exposed, oxygen in the pile, moisture, and temperatures inside and outside of the pile. All of these can be composted: uncoated cardboard, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, wood ash, fruits and vegetables, grass clippings, hair and fur, hay and straw, houseplants, leaves, newspaper, nutshells, sawdust, teabags, woodchips and yard trimmings. What a great way to take care of our yards — nourishing our landscapes with natural nutrients.

— In 2017 let’s waste less food. The Kenai Local Food Connection, Re*Group, and KPC Showcase invite you to a screening of the award winning documentary “JUST EAT IT,” Jan. 13, 6:30 p.m. at the Kenai Peninsula College, Ward room 102 and 104. An optional donation of 2 cans of food for the Kenai Peninsula Food Bank would be appreciated.

Information provided by ReGroup, a nonprofit educational group, formed in 1989 to develop public awareness of waste reduction, reuse and recycling benefits on Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula. ReGroup meets every third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. at Hope Community Resources Community Center on Princeton Avenue off Kalifornsky Beach Road. Find ReGroup at regroupalaska.org or contact at regroupkenaipeninsula@gmail.com.