Solid Wastes Recycling Composting can be thought of the oldest and most natural form of recycling

matter continuously cycles through ecosystems Matter in Ecosystems ABIOTIC BIOTIC matter continuously cycles through ecosystems

Composting is the managed decomposition of organic wastes Solid Wastes Composting Composting is the managed decomposition of organic wastes

Solid Wastes What composts ? yard wastes food wastes

Solid Wastes Composting most food and yard waste can and should be composted composting could reduce MSW by 20-25%

several states, including Missouri, have banned yard wastes from landfills

each compost pile is a small ecosystem with a complex food web Solid Wastes Composting The biology of composting each compost pile is a small ecosystem with a complex food web

The biology of composting

Trophic Levels in Ecosystems Fourth Trophic Level tertiary consumers top carnivores secondary consumers Third Trophic Level carnivores Second Trophic Level primary consumers herbivores First Trophic Level producers plants

Tertiary Consumers Secondary Consumers Primary Consumers centipedes, predatory mites, flatworms Secondary Consumers springtails, some mites, some beetles, nematodes, rotifers Primary Consumers bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, snails, slugs, earthworms, millipedes Organic Residues leaves, grass clippings, other plant debris, food scraps

Organisms of the compost pile need Composting Organisms of the compost pile need food -- our organic wastes water -- needed by all life air -- O2 for aerobic bacteria and other organisms

Composting GREENS BROWNS Food for compost organisms in the lingo or jargon of composting, the food (our organic wastes) can be divided into GREENS BROWNS and

Composting GREENS BROWNS Food for compost organisms -- are rich in nitrogen BROWNS -- are rich in carbon

however, an optimal ratio is not necessary for composting to occur Food for compost organisms the optimal C:N ratio is 30:1 however, an optimal ratio is not necessary for composting to occur

nitrogen is needed for metabolism and growth Composting Food for compost organisms GREENS -- are rich in nitrogen nitrogen is needed for metabolism and growth

Composting GREENS Food for compost organisms -- are rich in nitrogen good sources of nitrogen are green vegetation, vegetable and fruit wastes, manures also see the handout

carbon is needed for energy Composting Food for compost organisms BROWNS -- are rich in carbon carbon is needed for energy

Composting BROWNS Food for compost organisms -- are rich in carbon good sources of carbon are dried leaves, dried vegetation, paper, woody materials also see the handout

Composting 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

Composting air for the compost organisms provides O2 for aerobic organisms O2 allows growth of aerobic bacteria and kills anaerobic bacteria

Composting air for the compost organisms aerobic bacteria decompose wastes rapidly and without odors anaerobic bacteria decompose wastes slowly and can cause foul odors

Composting air for the compost organisms the compost can be aerated by periodically turning the pile or by poking holes into the compost pile

Composting compost and temperature a well working compost pile heats up due to the metabolic activity of compost organisms

Composting compost and temperature the warm temperature encourages the growth of thermophilic bacteria, the fastest decomposers

Composting 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

the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard Composting The compost pile 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

Composting The compost pile the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard however, an optimal size is not necessary for composting to occur

Composting The compost pile many food wastes can be composted, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee & filters, tea bags also see the handout

Composting The compost pile some food wastes should not be composted, including meat, cheese, dairy products, and grease also see the handout

Composting The compost pile most types of yard wastes can be composted, including leaves, grass clipping, plant trimmings, many weeds also see the handout

Composting The compost pile highly invasive weeds and treated lumber should not be added to the compost pile also see the handout

Composting Finished Compost 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 Composting Finished Compost a rich, dark, crumbly humus called “black gold” by experienced gardeners

Finished Compost

composting makes a valuable resource out of organic wastes – for free Finished Compost composting makes a valuable resource out of organic wastes – for free

Composting Finished Compost a wonderful soil amendment improves soil structure improves water characteristics improves soil nutrients

a slow-release fertilizer without pollution Composting Finished Compost a wonderful soil amendment a slow-release fertilizer without pollution improves soil fertility improves plant growth and yield

Composting Finished Compost 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 Composting If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost COMPOST HAPPENS !

If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all Composting If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all You Get Compost COMPOST HAPPENS !

Composting What’s the difference ? the length of time

If you do everything right and work really hard at it Composting If you do everything right and work really hard at it You Get Compost in 4 – 6 weeks COMPOST HAPPENS !

If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all Composting If you do everything wrong and don’t work at it at all You Get Compost in 1 – 2 years COMPOST HAPPENS !