Composting

Composting Workshop

Myths• Composting is hard

• Smelly

• Need special equipment

• Need large open space

• Need a lot of people to do it

• Need earthworms

Why and what?• Why compost?• > 50% of “garbage” is kitchen waste that is biodegradable• Easier to separate wet and dry waste, recycle, and reduce

garbage that goes to landfills• Individual action that contributes to a sustainable society

• A process of aerobic decomposition of bio-degradable matter by microbes

• Different materials -> different carbon-nitrogen content

• Decomposition rate depends on the ratio of carbon, nitrogen, water and oxygen in the pile. Ideal C:N is 30:1

The chemistry• Carbon — for energy; oxidation of carbon content produces

heat. High carbon materials tend to be brown and dry.

• Nitrogen — to grow and reproduce more organisms to oxidize the carbon. High nitrogen materials tend to be green (or colorful, such as fruits and vegetables) and wet.

• Oxygen — for oxidizing the carbon, the decomposition process.

• Water — in the right amounts to maintain activity without causing anaerobic conditions.

Home composting• Kitchen wet waste is high in nitrogen. 2 parts kitchen waste

and one part dried leaves for maintaining C:N ratio 30:1

• In plastic tubs, buckets, drums; clay flower pots and pots

• Yes – Fruit peels, vegetable peels, some cooked food

• No – banana flower, banana stem, mango/avocado seeds, lots of cooked food, lots of citrus, egg shells, meat, fish, coconut shells, pet faeces

• Kitchen waste + dried leaves/shredded paper + stir once in 4-5 days + sufficient moisture, protect from extreme rain & sun

The process

Troubleshooting• Check for too much moisture. Add dried leaves/shredded news

paper/ coco-peat

• Check for too much dryness. Sprinkle water/curds/left over sambhar etc.

• Ants – Add boric powder/chilly powder/turmeric powder/vinegar

• Fruitflies: Add a layer of browns and keep the bin closed.

• Lizards & spiders

• Maggots: Pile is too wet. Add browns and turmeric powder