Composting

I want to compost, but…• Hard, needs lot of time and labor, inconvenient, smelly

• Need special equipment and monetary investment

• Need large open space

• Need earthworms

• Not my job, will make no difference, I don’t have a garden

Why?• > 50% of “garbage” is kitchen waste that is biodegradable

• Family of 4 -> 700 gms/day -> 255 kgs a year

• Easier to separate wet and dry waste, recycle, and reduce garbage that goes to landfills

• Increase beneficial bacteria, insects

• Individual action that contributes to a sustainable society

What?• A process of aerobic decomposition of bio-degradable matter

by microbes

• All matter is composed mostly of C, N, H and O, different ratios.

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

• Kitchen wet waste is high in nitrogen. 2 parts kitchen waste and one part dried leaves for maintaining C:N ratio 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

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

• Yes – Fruit peels, vegetable peels, some cooked food (dry it if you can)

• No –mango/avocado seeds, lots of cooked food, lots of citrus, egg shells, meat, fish, coconut shells, pet feces

• 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