Source Reduction. Presentation 5: The Composting Toolkit Funded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Recycling Grants Program Developed.

Source ReductionSource Reduction

Presentation 5:Presentation 5:The Composting ToolkitThe Composting Toolkit

Funded by the Indiana Funded by the Indiana Department of Department of Environmental Environmental Management Recycling Management Recycling Grants ProgramGrants Program

Developed by the Indiana Developed by the Indiana Rural Community Rural Community Assistance Program - Assistance Program - RCAPRCAP

““Source Reduction”Source Reduction”In The Realm Of CompostingIn The Realm Of Composting

Source reduction programs are those activities Source reduction programs are those activities which allow yard waste to remain at its which allow yard waste to remain at its generation site without entering the waste generation site without entering the waste stream.stream.

Examples:Examples: Leaving grass clippings lieLeaving grass clippings lie Backyard compostingBackyard composting ““Home made” mulch and brush piles Home made” mulch and brush piles

Documented BenefitsDocumented Benefits

The United States Composting Council looked into The United States Composting Council looked into the effectiveness of backyard composting education the effectiveness of backyard composting education programs across the county.programs across the county.

They found:They found: Communities that invested in home composting education Communities that invested in home composting education

realized measurable savings in the costs of waste disposalrealized measurable savings in the costs of waste disposal For an investment on average of $12/ton directly tied to For an investment on average of $12/ton directly tied to

backyard composting education communities saved an backyard composting education communities saved an average of $56/ton in disposal costs for a net average average of $56/ton in disposal costs for a net average savings of $44/ton.savings of $44/ton.

Leave It A Lawn!Leave It A Lawn!

It has many names . . .It has many names . . . GrasscyclingGrasscycling Mulching MowerMulching Mower Don’t Bag ItDon’t Bag It Leave It LayLeave It Lay

They all come down to They all come down to one simple concept: one simple concept: leave your grass leave your grass clippings on your lawn.clippings on your lawn.


Just leave grass clippings on the lawn instead Just leave grass clippings on the lawn instead of collecting them.of collecting them.

As the grass clippings decompose they release As the grass clippings decompose they release nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium back into the soil, so less fertilizer is needed.the soil, so less fertilizer is needed.

The lawn will also need less water because the The lawn will also need less water because the grass clippings tend to reduce evaporation.grass clippings tend to reduce evaporation.


No BagsNo Bags Less WaterLess Water Less FertilizerLess Fertilizer Saves MoneySaves Money

Backyard CompostingBackyard Composting Low tech.Low tech. Lowest energy costs because the Lowest energy costs because the

compost is treated at the location compost is treated at the location where it was “created”.where it was “created”.

Many styles of bins. The key, Many styles of bins. The key, however, is not the bin but however, is not the bin but maintaining optimal conditions.maintaining optimal conditions.

Backyard composting is Backyard composting is considered considered SOURCE SOURCE REDUCTIONREDUCTION by the EPA by the EPA hierarchy of waste management.hierarchy of waste management.

Backyard CompostingBackyard Composting

Home composting takes the waste disposal Home composting takes the waste disposal problem and stops it at its source. It reduces problem and stops it at its source. It reduces the amount of waste that municipalities need the amount of waste that municipalities need to collect as part of their municipal to collect as part of their municipal composting programs. By avoiding collection composting programs. By avoiding collection and processing costs, home composting and processing costs, home composting represents the lowest cost management represents the lowest cost management alternative.alternative.

Backyard ComposterBackyard Composter To say there is a variety of To say there is a variety of

shapes and types of shapes and types of backyard composters would backyard composters would be a huge understatement.be a huge understatement.

They all, however, serve a They all, however, serve a similar purpose: facilitate similar purpose: facilitate the composting process the composting process while keeping the materials while keeping the materials that are composting within a that are composting within a tidy space.tidy space.

The following slides are a The following slides are a sampling of the many sampling of the many varieties of home varieties of home composter.composter.

Tumbler CompostersTumbler Composters

Multi-chamber Bins Multi-chamber Bins

Wire or Enclosure ComposterWire or Enclosure Composter

Cinder Block BinsCinder Block Bins

Pallet CompostersPallet Composters

Prefabricated BinsPrefabricated Bins(Examples, Not Endorsements)(Examples, Not Endorsements)

And More Prefabricated BinsAnd More Prefabricated Bins(And In No Particular Order)(And In No Particular Order)

And A Few Other . . .And A Few Other . . .(You’re getting the idea, right?)(You’re getting the idea, right?)

Backyard CompostersBackyard Composters Regardless of the type of composter you choose, they should Regardless of the type of composter you choose, they should

have a few key elements:have a few key elements: Be sure the bin you select is well-ventilated. Good air circulation is Be sure the bin you select is well-ventilated. Good air circulation is

key to successful composting.key to successful composting. The ideally sized structure should be approximately 3 feet x 3 feet x 3 The ideally sized structure should be approximately 3 feet x 3 feet x 3

feet.feet. The pitfall of smaller is it may not heat properlyThe pitfall of smaller is it may not heat properly The pitfall of larger is you may not have enough air circulationThe pitfall of larger is you may not have enough air circulation

Placement is as important as the bin. Put it somewhere in the yard Placement is as important as the bin. Put it somewhere in the yard where it will get a blend of direct sunlight and shade time.where it will get a blend of direct sunlight and shade time.

Remember that maintaining ideal composting conditions Remember that maintaining ideal composting conditions (moisture, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, proper turning/aeration) is (moisture, carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, proper turning/aeration) is every bit (okay, its every bit (okay, its moremore important) than the bin itself. important) than the bin itself.

Ideal Composting ConditionsIdeal Composting Conditions

Particle size Particle size smaller better smaller better Moisture Moisture 40-60% 40-60% Temp. Temp. 90-140 degrees F 90-140 degrees F Oxygen Oxygen >5% >5% Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: Carbon to Nitrogen Ratio: 30:1 30:1

Also Called Brown/Green or C/N RatioAlso Called Brown/Green or C/N Ratio

Compost Trouble ShootingCompost Trouble Shooting

Symptom: has bad odor Symptom: has bad odor Problem: not enough air Problem: not enough air Solution: turn pile daily until odor is goneSolution: turn pile daily until odor is gone

Symptom: center of pile is dry Symptom: center of pile is dry Problem: not enough water Problem: not enough water Solution: moisten material while turning pile Solution: moisten material while turning pile

Symptom: compost is damp and warm Symptom: compost is damp and warm Problem: pile too Problem: pile too small small Solution: collect more material and mix the pile in Solution: collect more material and mix the pile in the middle but nowhere elsethe middle but nowhere else

Symptom: the pile will not heat up Symptom: the pile will not heat up Problem: lack of Problem: lack of nitrogen nitrogen Solution: mix in a nitrogen source such as grass Solution: mix in a nitrogen source such as grass clippings, fresh manure, or fertilizerclippings, fresh manure, or fertilizer

Other Home “Source Reduction”Other Home “Source Reduction”

““Home made” mulchHome made” mulch There are a number of small chippers and There are a number of small chippers and

shredders on the market that allow people to make shredders on the market that allow people to make their own mulch out of trimmings from their yard.their own mulch out of trimmings from their yard.

In some gardening situations grass clippings or In some gardening situations grass clippings or leaf litter can also be used as mulches.leaf litter can also be used as mulches.

““Home made” brush pilesHome made” brush piles These can be attractive and provide animal habitat. These can be attractive and provide animal habitat.

Make sure they are not a violation of local Make sure they are not a violation of local neighborhood covenants or ordinance.neighborhood covenants or ordinance.

Worm CompostingWorm Composting

Can be done indoors or outdoorsCan be done indoors or outdoors Uses the macro-organism, red worms, verses Uses the macro-organism, red worms, verses

the micro-organisms used in other forms of the micro-organisms used in other forms of compostingcomposting

Most effective with vegetable matter food Most effective with vegetable matter food wastes wastes

Can be very small or very large scaleCan be very small or very large scale

Worm CompostersWorm Composters

QUESTIONS?QUESTIONS?

Thank You!Thank You!

Additional Questions, Comments, or You Additional Questions, Comments, or You Think You Have A Potential Pilot CommunityThink You Have A Potential Pilot Community Please Feel Free to Contact Me:Please Feel Free to Contact Me:

Mark W. DavisMark W. Davis

Technical Assistance ProviderTechnical Assistance Provider

Rural Community Assistance ProgramRural Community Assistance Program

Office: 1-800-382-9895Office: 1-800-382-9895

Wireless: (812) 320-0720Wireless: (812) 320-0720

E-mail: [email protected]: [email protected]

Source Reduction. Presentation 5: The Composting Toolkit Funded by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management Recycling Grants Program Developed.

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