Garbage collection is getting more expensive as gas prices rise. Many cities such as San Francisco already charge by the can, and many more are now refusing to collect yard clippings and leaves. Composting takes care of that unwanted garbage, and saves you money by reducing the amount that you put out on the curb. According to the U.S. EPA, about a quarter of all the trash in the U.S. are materials that could be composted instead of thrown away. Most of the trash from your kitchen and yard, as well as other parts of the home, can go into the compost.Composting turns trash into a useful, free garden supplies. Compost improves soil structure, texture, and aeration, and is especially good at loosening clay soils and helping sandy soils retain water. Compost also provides food for microorganisms, which keeps the soil in a healthy, balanced condition. Nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus will be produced naturally by the microorganisms, so you can stop using fertilizers and other garden additives. This not only saves you money, but is also better for the environment, since fertilizers are a major cause of water pollution and algal blooms, which kill fish and other aquatic species.