INTRODUCTION

Composting is a method of waste disposal in which organic waste dissolves organically in an oxygen-
rich environment. The composting process can begin once these waste products have been arranged in
a mound. Earthworms, bacteria, and other soil-dwelling creatures naturally break down organic
compounds. Any industry or institution that generates food scraps may readily convert this organic
material into elevated compost.

What are the things that can be composted?

Fruit, vegetables, milk products, cereals, flatbread, uncoloured paper tablecloths, tan filters, coverings,
white meat, and papers are all compostable. If it can be eaten or cultivated in a field or garden, it may
be composted. Plastic cutlery, condiment packages, plastic wrap, plastic bags, foil, silverware,
drinking straws, bottles, polystyrene, and chemicals, as well as plastic cutlery, condiment packages,
wrap, bags, foil, silverware, straws, bottles , and chemicals, cannot be composted. Red meat, and
small pieces of paper are permitted, but disintegrate at a slower rate. Only add red meat and bones to a
well-controlled composting process to avoid attracting mice, bugs, and insects to partially digested
meat waste

Who accepts wastage for compost, and how to be in touch with them?

 Rural producers might be interested in composting food scraps.

 Home gardeners may be able to compost a certain amount of food waste.
 Gardeners in the area could be interested in generating their personal compost from food
scraps.
 Landscapers in the area might be interested in generating their personal compost from food
waste.
 Cooked food wastes can be used as a livestock feed or a feed supplement by hog farmers.
 Regarding names or links to farming, nursery, or gardener, contact your local extension
office.

Composting Procedures

1. Passive composting is stacking the components and allowing them to degrade spontaneously
is all that is required. This process is inexpensive, but it is slow, and it may produce bad
odour.
 2. Aerated static piles perforated pipelines and blower are used to deliver air to the stacked pile.
This approach does not involve any manpower to change the compost, but it is climate-
dependent, & it be able to result in unpredictable pathogen elimination due to poor mix.

3. Windrows are lengthy, narrow piles that are converted when temperature and oxygen
requirements dictate. The process generates a consistent output that can be tracked from afar.
Converting the compost, on the other hand, might be time-consuming or expensive.
Windrows are commonly utilised for huge volumes that take up a lot of room. Windrows can
also cause odour issues and leachate concerns if they are exposed to rain.

4. Bins with mesh or wood slats enable for optimum air circulation, are affordable, and take
minimal time to put together. Three chambered bins speed up compost output by allowing for
distinct stages of decomposition. Small quantities of food scraps are usually composted in
bins. The three-bin device is capable of handling enormous amounts of material. Then it
enables for tiered composting, by one area dedicated to storing recyclable materials, another
to active composting, and yet another to drying or completed compost. Build a three-bin
system, it can be used in old wood pallets.

5. In vessel systems which use punctured barrels, drums, or specifically designed cans, are
simple to make use of , involve little effort, are non climate responsive, that can be used in
urban and public settings. The primary outlay can be substantial, yet managing volumes are
usually minimal.

6. Vermicomposting involves feeding wasted food to worms and then using the worm casts as
high-worth compost. Cans, litter bins, and greenhouse are commonly used for this. One quid
of worms can consume four quid of garbage every week on average. This sort of composting
is used in many schools as an environment education tool. Worm castings are more
expensive, although worm replenishment might be costly based on the scale of the enterprise.
If there is too much waste, anaerobiotic bacteria could develop. Furthermore, worm are
unable to metabolise meat items.

At what time is the Compost Done?

Matured compost resembles humus look, smell, and texture. The completed compost will contain not
any weed seeds or pathogens since it cant get heated on its own, retaining the ambient temperature.
The pH will be approximately 7.0, and the moisture content will be between 35 and 50%. The C:N
ratio can range between 10 and 25. The proportion of organic materials will range between 40 and 65
percent. It is important to keep weed seeds out of the compost until it is ready to use. It is essential to
avoid using incomplete or immature compost since it may include phytotoxins that are harmful to
plants. The watercress test is a low-cost method of determining the maturity of compost. Since
watercress seeds are pH and nutrient sensitive, they will not germinate or thrive in immature compost.