Image: Mike Harrington/Taxi/Getty Images
About This Quiz
Turn trash into cash, or at least into fertilizer that you can use in your garden. Help the environment by composting your organic waste. Take this quiz to see how much you know about composting.
How much trash do Americans create each year?
100 million tons
210 million tons
Each year, Americans create about 210 million tons of trash.
500 million tons
Advertisement
Where does all the garbage go?
57 percent to municipal landfills
About 57 percent of the garbage goes to municipal landfills.
47 percent to recycling
37 percent to composting
Advertisement
What happens when organic material is composted?
finished compost
humus
both answers
The composting process breaks down organic material into usable and valuable finished compost or humus.
Advertisement
What is required for composting?
soil
Soil is required for composting as a source of microorganisms.
gravel
vegetable oil
Advertisement
Which is organic waste?
plastic bags
water bottles
newspaper
Newsprint is organic waste, because it is made from trees.
Advertisement
What does air add to the composting process?
oxygen
Air is needed for composting as a source of oxygen.
carbon dioxide
nitrogen gas
Advertisement
During the composting process, what do the microorganisms from the soil do?
eat the waste
break it down
both answers
The microorganisms eat the organic waste and break it down.
Advertisement
Advertisement
What will speed up the composting process?
turning
watering
both answers
Regular turning and watering of the composting material speeds up the process.
Advertisement
To aid decomposition, what should be done with large pieces of organic waste?
Break up the large pieces.
To aid decomposition, break up the large pieces of organic waste.
No action is needed.
neither answer
Advertisement
What living organism may be present in a compost heap?
bacteria
fungi
both answers
Bacteria, fungi and lots more feed on the composting material.
Advertisement
Why would you want to position a compost pile downwind from your home?
bad smell
The compost heap may stink.
good smell
unattractive
Advertisement
Why should you consult you homeowners association before starting a composting project?
HOA may determine the location of the compost pile.
Your HOA may have specific guidelines for the location of a compost pile on your property.
HOA may determine what hours you may work on your compost heap.
HOA may want to pay for your composting structure.
Advertisement
Why may too much wind be bad for composting?
dries out material
scatters material
both answers
Too much wind may dry out the material or cause it to scatter.
Advertisement
What is a compost structure?
heap
concrete block structure
both answers
A compost structure may be anything from a heap of material to a concrete block structure.
Advertisement
What may result from composted meat or dairy products?
foul odor
They may cause a foul odor, but may be composted.
too much bacteria
too much fungi
Advertisement
What should not be composted?
human waste
animal waste
both answers
Do not compost any type of human or animal waste.
Advertisement
Why are human and animal waste dangerous for composting?
diseases
parasites
both answers
These waste products may carry diseases or parasites.
Advertisement
Why are leftover charcoal ashes from the BBQ non-compostable?
toxic to microorganisms
The ashes may be toxic to the microorganisms necessary for composting.
toxic to groundwater
carry diseases
Advertisement
How may temperature be used to decide when the composting is complete?
below 100 degrees F
When the temperature of the composting material is below 100 degrees F (36 degrees C), it may be considered to be "done."
above 100 degrees F
neither answer
Advertisement
You Got:
/20
Mike Harrington/Taxi/Getty Images
