Presented by: Justin Fleming Oregon State University 1
Through composting, we harness the decomposition process. Composting: Controlled process of decomposition Composting allows us to convert organic materials into humus: a dark, crumbly, nutrient-rich soil amendment. 2
Compost is a dark brown, crumbly, porous, soil-like material. It is often confused with soil, but in fact is quite distinct. Soil is composed primarily of tiny particles of weathered rock of various sizes. Compost is composed primarily of a material called humus, an organic material made up of microscopic, clay- like particles produced by the process of decomposition, whose properties produce the many benefits of compost. 3
Waste Minimization AND Nutrient and Water Storage Improved Soil Structure Erosion Prevention Disease Resistance 4
5 Waste Minimization/ Resources Approximately: 4.3 Billion Pounds of Organics 1.7 Billion Pounds of Food
Composting is Aerobic ( Needs Air ) Aerobic Organisms ▪ The microorganisms and invertebrates fundamental to the composting process require oxygen and water to successfully decompose the material. Anaerobic Organisms ▪ These organisms produce byproducts detrimental to plants. 6
Composting is a dynamic process Depending on the process used it will occur quickly or slowly A pile of organic waste will eventually decompose, but slowly. (Decomposition Happens) “Passive composting" requires very little maintenance. 7
Fast or "active" composting can be completed by creating ideal conditions to encourage the natural decomposition Active Composters pay attention to: Aeration Moisture Carbon to nitrogen (C:N) ratio 8
Anything that was once living can be composted. Ideal materials to compost include: Grass clippings, leaves and other yard debris Food waste* Non-recyclable paper Animal manures* Woody debris Other Organics 9
There are a variety of methods used to compost organic residuals. These cover municipal and backyard programs. 10
Municipal composting comes in a variety of forms. They range from very simple to very sophisticated. 11
Organics are picked up from residences and delivered to the facility. A track hoe removes contaminants and passes material forward. 12
The material is thoroughly mixed and sent forward to be loaded into windrows 13
Organics are loaded on top of an advanced aeration system 14
Overview of lower compost pad 15
Windrow Turner 16
Internal Weather Patterns 17
32 Day Through-put 18
OSU chose an aerated, in-vessel unit called the Earth Tub. 19
An Earth Tub can recover up to 300 lbs of food waste a day. 20
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22 Forced Air Windrow
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Call your local garbage hauler and ask about curbside pickup for yard debris Trade curbside pickup of yard debris for a composter or ask your hauler about composters at cost Start your own compost pile! 25
Choose a level, well-drained site, preferably near your garden. Use alternating layers of high-carbon and high-nitrogen material or mix the two together and then heap into a pile. If you alternate layers, make each layer 2 to 4 inches thick. Use approximately equal amounts of each. Adding a few shovels of soil will also help get the pile off to a good start; soil adds commonly found decomposing organisms. Water periodically. The pile should be moist but not saturated. Punch holes in the sides of the pile for aeration. 26
The pile will heat up and then begin to cool. Start turning when the pile's internal temperature peaks and starts to drop. Check your pile regularly to assure optimum moisture and aeration are present. Move materials from the center to the outside and vice versa. Turn every day or two and you should get compost in less than 4 weeks. Turning every other week will make compost in 1 to 3 months. Finished compost will smell sweet and be cool and crumbly to the touch. 27
Find materials that otherwise would be recycled or disposed of. 28
Be creative! I built a compost turner that doubles as a furniture dolly 29
To turn the compost, I rotate the barrel using my “custom” turner 30
I’ve used my compost and vermicompost to grow organic produce 31