Solid Wastes. Solid Wastes. Composting. Composting ABIOTIC. BIOTIC matter continuously cycles through ecosystems

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1 Solid Wastes can be thought of the oldest and most natural form of recycling Matter in Ecosystems ABIOTIC BIOTIC matter continuously cycles through ecosystems is the managed decomposition of organic wastes What composts? yard wastes food wastes most food and yard waste can and should be composted composting could reduce MSW by 20-25% 1

2 several states, including Missouri, have banned yard wastes from landfills The biology of composting each compost pile is a small ecosystem with a complex food web The biology of composting Organisms of the compost pile need food -- our organic wastes water -- needed by all life air -- O 2 for aerobic bacteria and other organisms in the lingo or jargon of composting, the food (our organic wastes) can be divided into GREENS and BROWNS GREENS BROWNS -- are rich in nitrogen -- are rich in carbon 2

3 the optimal C:N ratio is 30:1 however, an optimal ratio is not necessary for composting to occur GREENS -- are rich in nitrogen nitrogen is needed for metabolism and growth GREENS -- are rich in nitrogen good sources of nitrogen are green vegetation, vegetable and fruit wastes, manures BROWNS -- are rich in carbon carbon is needed for energy BROWNS -- are rich in carbon good sources of carbon are dried leaves, dried vegetation, paper, woody materials water for the compost organisms the optimal moisture is about as damp as a wrung out sponge however, the optimal moisture is not necessary for composting to occur 3

4 air for the compost organisms provides O 2 for aerobic organisms O 2 allows growth of aerobic bacteria and kills anaerobic bacteria air for the compost organisms aerobic bacteria decompose wastes rapidly and without odors anaerobic bacteria decompose wastes slowly and can cause foul odors air for the compost organisms the compost can be aerated by periodically turning the pile or by poking holes into the compost pile compost and temperature a well working compost pile heats up due to the metabolic activity of compost organisms compost and temperature the warm temperature encourages the growth of thermophilic bacteria, the fastest decomposers compost and temperature the pile does not need to be warm for composting to occur, it will just take longer for complete decomposition of the wastes 4

5 the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard this is large enough to retain heat, but small enough for aeration to occur the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard however, an optimal size is not necessary for composting to occur many food wastes can be composted, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee & filters, tea bags some food wastes should not be composted, including meat, cheese, dairy products, and grease most types of yard wastes can be composted, including leaves, grass clipping, plant trimmings, many weeds highly invasive weeds and treated lumber should not be added to the compost pile 5

6 the process is finished when the material looks like dark, rich soil and no longer resembles the original organic wastes a rich, dark, crumbly humus called black gold by experienced gardeners composting makes a valuable resource out of organic wastes for free a wonderful soil amendment improves soil structure improves water characteristics improves soil nutrients a wonderful soil amendment a slow-release fertilizer without pollution improves soil fertility improves plant growth and yield 6

7 can be used as: a top dressing on lawns a mulch around trees & shrubs a seed starter a potting soil If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost If you do everything wrong and don t work at it at all You Get Compost What s the difference? the length of time If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost in 4 6 weeks If you do everything wrong and don t work at it at all You Get Compost in 1 2 years 7