COMPOSTING 101: City of Melbourne Gives a Basic Guide on How to Compost
By Space Coast Daily // November 12, 2019
Making compost keeps materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOURNE, FLORIDA – Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow.
Food scraps and yard waste together currently make up about 30 percent of what we throw away and should be composted instead.
Making compost keeps these materials out of landfills where they take up space and release methane, a potent greenhouse gas.
The following is a basic guide to composting to help you get started.
There are many additional helpful resources online, including guides to composting by the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Services (IFAS) and the Environmental Protection Agency.
How to Compost
Step 1: Find a location for a composter (sunny spots are preferred).
Step 2: Add 2 parts brown for Carbon:
- Dry leaves
- Newspaper
- Paper towels
- Hay
- Shredded paper
- 100% cotton fabric
Step 3: Add 1 part green for Nitrogen
- Vegetable trimmings
- Green leaves
- Grass clippings
- Tea Bags
- Coffee Grounds
- Weeds
Step 4: Add air (Tumble or turn every week to increase oxygen.)
Step 5: Add water (Compost should be moist.)
What to Compost
Carbon Materials (“Browns”)

“Greens” should be added. Greens also include green leaves, grass clippings tea bags, coffee grounds, and weeds.
Do Not Include
Do not include the following items in your composter:
- Meat
- Dairy
- Animal manure
- Diseased plants
- Oils
- Plastic
Can I Compost It?
Not sure about an item? Check the “Can I Compost It?” guide from IFAS.
$50 Rebates for City of Melbourne Residents
For a limited time, the city is offering customers who live within the city limits of Melbourne up to a $50 rebate for purchasing and installing a composter that has at least a 30-gallon capacity.
Read more about the Composter Rebate Program or contact the Environmental Community Outreach (ECO) Division at (321) 608-5080 or rebates@mlbfl.org.

