Flower beds in the entrance to Lost LagoonOur Landscaping team does an amazing job of keeping our landscaped areas looking immaculate! But have you ever wonder what happens to the plant material that is changed in our landscaped beds? One of the tasks of the Landscaping team is changing out our plant material with plants that will thrive with our climate. So what happens to the old stuff? We take it to a large container and it is taken to a composting facility. In the month of March 2010 alone, SeaWorld San Antonio was able to compost over 800 cubic yards of plant material.
Through the process of composting, plant remains and various other organic materials decompose and create a wonderfully enriched substance that can be reused in plants and gardens. Composting greatly assists with the reduction of wastes that would otherwise be sent to a landfill.
By composting at SeaWorld, we are saving valuable space in our landfill. Used plant materials are composted and help with nutrient availability and decrease watering needs of plants. There are numerous other benefits to composting too.
Compostable material from landscapingFor those of you thinking about composting at your homes, check out HowToCompost.org or your local hardware store may even have information on how to create your own compost bin.
Some items that you may have at home that are compostable include: cardboard rolls from paper towels or toilet paper, coffee grounds and filters, eggshells, fruit and vegetables, grass and yard clippings, leaves, houseplants, tea bags, and nut shells.
Things to keep out of your compost pile:
- Dairy products - can create odor problems and attract unwanted pests
- Pet wastes - may contain parasites, bacteria or pathogens and viruses that are harmful to humans
- Insect-ridden plants - the insects may survive through the compost process and transfer into the other plant material
As we celebrate Earth Month, let's see what we can do to make a difference in our world.
