Abstract
The paper examines the purpose of composting as well as its advantages and disadvantages. The paper explains how mandatory composting would work, outlines the considerations that have to be resolved before mandatory composting can become more accepted in many communities and focuses on the benefits of remediation and the prevention of pollution and water erosion. The paper shows how the advantages and benefits of composting are quite substantial and arguably outweigh the disadvantages or issues involved with the process, nevertheless, there are obstacles to achieving the full benefits of composting, and they need to be dealt with suitably. The paper therefore concludes that mandatory composting can be a viable regulation for the City of Toronto, with effort and commitment from both the government and the residents.

Outline:
Introduction
The Purpose of Composting
Advantages and Disadvantages of Composting
Mandatory Composting
Issues Involved with Mandatory Composting
Remediation
Pollution and Erosion Prevention
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Certainly, composting offers various advantages that are generally beneficial to the community. Composting creates an organic-matter fertilizing product that contains beneficial soil micro organisms and essential plant nutrients, all of which are very useful in gardening and farming. These nutrients improve fertility, soil structure, and they add organic life to the soil. Composting is considered a best plant health care practice because it promotes healthy soil and healthy soil, in turn, produces healthy plants capable of withstanding climate-related stress and pests and parasites (City of Toronto, 2009). More generally, volumes of research have proven that composting is also beneficial to the environment because it is such a good tool for maintaining soil productivity and reducing environmental degradation associated with intensive agriculture (Brown, 2009). These benefits account for the decisions of many countries and local governments to adopt composting into government policies and legislation as a as a best practice.
"On the other hand, one of the strongest objections to composting is that is (naturally) produces offensive odors associated with processing paunch waste and producing organic fertilizer (Goldstein & Goldstein, 2009). Additional disadvantages include the unpleasant nature of handling organic waste matter, issues of increased attraction of insects and rodents, and the fact that compost piles require a significant amount of space, time, and attention devoted to their proper construction, operation, and maintenance."

Tags:pollution, erosion, remediation, recycling, waste

Abstract
This paper looks at San Francisco's decision to ban plastic bags in grocery stores and points out that other cities may soon follow San Francisco's example. The paper then explains why banning plastic bags may not be the ideal option and discusses how stores could replace plastic bags with compostable or paper bags.

Outline:
Consider the Facts about Plastic Grocery Bags
Why Banning Plastic Bags Is Wrong
What Happens If Plastic Bags Are Not Banned
Action to Solve the Problem of Plastic Bags

From the Paper
"Imagine the number of plastic bags used throughout the United States. Charlie Goodyear (2007) for the Chronicle states that it takes over 400,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100 million bags. San Francisco voted ten to one that plastic bags used at grocery stores be banned. While San Francisco is the first state to ban plastic bags, more cities may follow their example. Consider the facts about plastic bans, compare the facts about compostable bags and paper bags, and decide to take immediate action about these plastic bags. "

Tags:recycle, degradable, environment, landfills

Abstract
This paper explains that sustainability refers to a practice of farming that depends primarily or completely on practices, such as proper planting and rotation of the land without applying materials trucked in from afar to remediate what should never have been damaged in the first place. The author points out that Smit believed that urban food security in the relatively near future could rest partly on locally grown and sold food, with production based on renewable local resources, such as composting in the backyard rather than on fossil fuels. The paper argues that sustainable urban agriculture may become a national defense because even under siege for a very long time, residents of cities would not starve to death.

Table of Contents
"Traditional" Agriculture
"Sustainable" Agriculture
What's Best for the Future?

From the Paper
"Tilman et. al. suggest that sustainable agriculture must be accompanied by advances in energy use, transportation and so on. In short, they do not so much lobby for a scaled-down, friendly, homegrown sort of urban farming Smit outlined; rather, they seem to suggest that more attention should be paid to improving 'big ag.' Still, what they desire for big ag is not entirely without sustainability merit. They suggest multiple cropping systems with crop rotation and intercropping, with two crops grown side by side and simultaneously. That, they note, may improve pest control and water and nutrient efficiency."

Tags:disaster, siege, compost, local, low-income

Abstract
The paper discusses how by contributing to the composition of solid waste, both biodegradable and non-biodegradable substances increase the amount of worldwide pollution. The paper explains how biodegradable pollutants uniquely contribute to pollution by aiding in the suffocation of fish and other marine life, while non-biodegradable pollutants cause soil and water to be contaminated, affecting plant, animal and human life. The paper then focuses on solutions for consumers, and discusses composting for biodegradable pollution, and three other solutions for non-biodegradable pollutants. The paper contends that educating consumers about how to act responsibly will help alleviate the problem posed by solid waste.

From the Paper
"Solid waste, or what The Sanitation Connection (2002) defines as "material that no longer has any value to the person responsible for it, and is not intended to be discharged through a pipe" can always be seen as a problem whether its contents are biodegradable or non-biodegradable. According to The Sanitation Connection (2002), solid waste can be a problem because it causes blockages in pipes, attracts flies, rats, and mosquitoes that breed and cause disease, can cause air pollution when burned, and can cause infection in the handlers. Furthermore, The Sanitation Connection (2002) states that solid waste can pose social problems such as reducing communities' desires to keep streets clean and functioning, posing occupational injuries for sanitation workers, and damaging city streets through the use of heavy waste management trucks."

Tags:pollution, waste, recycling, environment

Abstract
This paper discusses the newspaper articles on San Francisco's ban on plastic bags; San Francisco voted ten to one that plastic bags used at grocery stores be banned. While San Francisco is the first state to ban plastic bags, more cities may follow their example. The paper encourages the reader to consider the facts about plastic bans, compare the facts about compostable bags and paper bags, and decide to take immediate action about these plastic bags.

From the Paper
"Imagine the number of plastic bags used throughout the United States. Charlie Goodyear (2007) for the Chronicle states that it takes over 400,000 gallons of oil to manufacture 100 million bags. San Francisco voted ten to one that plastic bags used at grocery stores be banned. While San Francisco is the first state to ban plastic bags, more cities may follow their example. Consider the facts about plastic bans, compare the facts about compostable bags and paper bags, and decide to take immediate action about these plastic bags."

Tags:plastic, paper, ban

Abstract
Toronto's waste management focuses on shipping and land filling. When the Adams mine proposal was defeated in the fall of 2000, significant new recycling and composting initiatives were announced. However, they were recently abandoned in a round of budget cuts. This paper examines the allure and the environmental danger, of land filling.

Abstract
The paper discusses how, although sometimes considered as being esoteric or even superstitious, biodynamic farming methods are being increasingly used within Spain's viticulture, where farmers view them as being essential ingredients to producing fine wines. The paper explains the theories behind biodynamic agriculture, its central element and the practical methods involved. The paper concludes that the growing practice of this theory is having a significant impact on the Spanish wine market and Spain looks set to increase its global marketing position as more and more winemakers take on such practices.

Outline:
Introduction
Using Nature to Make Fine Wines
Conclusion

From the Paper
"Biodynamic agriculture, which is widely viewed as the forerunner of the modern organic movement, was first introduced by Austrian philosopher Rudolf Steiner in 1924. In contrast to conventional farming methods, biodynamic agriculture includes astronomical and lunar planting calendars, cow horn clay, and compost tea sprays. Although sometimes considered as being esoteric or even superstitious, biodynamic farming methods are being increasingly used within Spain's viticulture, where farmers view them as being essential ingredients to producing fine wines."

Tags:soil, compost, fertilization, crops, wines, Steiner

Abstract
This paper examines the effects of four soil amendments on the growth and yield of phaseolus vulgaris (yellow beans). The paper specifically analyzes the effects of manure, sugar, leached leaf litter and straw mulch on the growth of yellow beans. The paper discusses the method of the study and then looks at the results that were obtained. The paper contains graphs and tables.

Table of Contents:
Abstract
Introduction
Methods and Materials
Results
Discussion
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The results of this study indicate that only hypothesis one holds true. The application of manure to soil produced a slight improvement over the other amendments. Sugar seemed to decrease plant production and yield. In order to come to a conclusion, in this case, one must consider these findings in relation to the body of evidence that is available. Field and lab results varied regarding the results of various applications of compost amendments. Manure stood out in many trials as a superior soil amendment. However, it must be cautioned that rainfall and local conditions can significantly affect the results obtained."

Tags:compost, yield, field

Abstract
This is a detailed and illustrated paper on using organic fertilizers instead of chemical fertilizers on plants. Results of experiments concerning this topic are included with the paper.

From the Paper
"Organic fertilizers can provide enough nutrients to plants, that is the reason why the plants can grow well. Also the organic fertilizers can change the structure of soil and create a good drainage system, and well-ventilated environment which can be a better place for microorganisms to survive. The organic fertilizers contribute a lot to the growth of plants, but they still have some disadvantages. If one adds too much organic fertilizers, the plants will die because the concentration of organic fertilizers is very high."

Tags:chemical, compost, erosion, fertilizers, green, manure, organic

From the Paper
"Food waste is not only unfortunate in terms of the lost opportunity to feed hungry Americans but also in terms of the negative effects it has on our environment. The United States spends approximately $1 billion a year to dispose of excess food, (EPA, 1). That is an extravagant waste of both food and money. However, not all food can be reclaimed for human consumption. Livestock farmers use some recovered food to feed their animals. Some recovered food is recycled by commercial businesses and made into other inedible products. Certain food scraps can be composted to create a valuable fertilizer."

Tags:composting, hungry, poverty, recovery, recycling