What is Compost?

The composting process involves organic matter (plants and animals that were once living) being broken down into simpler compounds.

In order for life to be built up, life must also be broken down.

Build-Up

All life stems from the energy of the sun. Plants use sunlight to make their own food called carbohydrates. A complex web of life is built up from the sun's rays. Animals eat the plants. The plant-eating animals are prey to predatory animals.

Break-Down

Just as life is continuously built-up into a complex structure, it is also being broken back down into simple molecules. For instance, an apple on the ground might be partially consumed by a rabbit (to build up its strength). The remainder is left on the ground to rot. The process of rotting is also called decomposition. Decomposers break down the apple into smaller molecules. Decomposers make nutrients available for plants to use. Without decomposition, plants would not be able to use the nutrients locked up in the apple's complex form.

Illustrations courtesy of The Composting Council.

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