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

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

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

4. Solid Wastes
What composts ?
yard wastes
food wastes

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

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

7. 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

8. The biology of composting

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

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

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

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

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

25. 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

26. 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

27. 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

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

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

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

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

32. Composting Finished Compost
the process is finished when the material looks like dark, rich soil and no longer resembles the original organic wastes

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

34. Finished Compost

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

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

37. 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

38. Composting Finished Compost can be used as: a top dressing on lawns
a mulch around trees & shrubs
a seed starter
a potting soil

39. 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 !

40. 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 !

41. Composting
What’s the difference ?
the length of time

42. 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 !

43. 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 !