composting workshop one simple act. in alberta, what material makes up the majority of household...
TRANSCRIPT
Composting Workshop
One Simple Act
In Alberta, what material makes up the majority of household waste?
A: Organics/Yard Waste
B: Beverage Containers
C: Paper
Residential Waste Disposal (2002) (Source: NRCAN 2006)
Organics, 49%
Renovation, 2%
Hazardous Waste, 11%
Other, 12%
Paper, 21%
Glass, 3%
Metal, 2%
Plastics, 10%
The average Albertan
disposes 289 kg of residential waste every year
Composting
Recycling organic materials
Images courtesy Dr. Riley Kinman, University of Cincinnati
What happens to organics at a landfill site?
Greens BrownsWater
Soil
5 cm of twigs
5-10 cm dried browns
Wet the pile
5-10 cm Greens
Shovel of soil
Repeat until no more material
BUILD YOUR OWN COMPOST BIN
www.edmonton.ca/waste “Composting Bins You Can Build”
Mix often to speed the process “The more effort you put in the more compost you’ll get out”
Continue Layering
Add moisture as needed
Save your browns!
When is my compost ready to use?
Uses
Mulch
Compost Tea
Add to potted plants
Add to garden soil or spread around trees
Nutrient rich soil enhancer
Holds moistureSaves money
Symptom Problem SolutionSmells like eggs Too much moisture Add dry ingredients
Too compact not enough air
Mix often
Smells like ammonia Too much Nitrogen (green) Add more browns (carbon) and mix
Process is slow (compost can take anywhere from
3-12mths)
Not enough surface area Shred or break organics in to smaller pieces (less than 20-25cm)
Critters are interested in my compost
Wrong material has been added
Don’t add any grains, cooked meat or bones
Organic are exposed Make sure food is covered with soil or a layer of brown
Winter is coming – Process has slowed or
stopped
Temperature is too cold Continue to add to your compost bin. If bin is full start a new bin or store materials. Process will begin again in the spring.
Vermicomposting Grasscycling
If a worm is cut in half both parts will grow back.
Worms have teeth.
Worms cannot see.
Worms have blood.
Compost year roundCastings make an excellent soil conditioner
Limited space
Educational experience
Diverts waste from the landfill
The Container
The Bedding
The WormsEisentia fetida
“You have too many worms when more than one-fifth of your bin is worms”
Build a Vermicompost Bin
Regularly In Moderation
Weekly
Mark areaMonitor
Cover
Migration Method
Cone Method
Easy Method
“My compost smells awful!”
“I have a fruit fly infestation”
“My pile is sopping wet!”
“I have moldy food in my vermicompost bin”
Questions/Comments?
www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca