compost
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Recycling- CompostZespół Szkół z
Oddziałami Integracyjnymi im. J. Korczaka
w Smólniku
Poland
Recycling - one of comprehensive methods of environmental protection. Its aim is to reduce consumption of natural resources and reduce waste.
Recycling
CompostingComposting (organic recycling) - a natural method of disposal and waste management, involving the decomposition of organic matter by micro-organisms - aerobic bacteria, nematodes, etc.. It is the processing of the substance under controlled conditions in the presence of oxygen (air) at a suitable temperature and humidity.
The purpose of building a system of composting is to provide a healthy and nutrient-rich living environment for bacteria. The fastest composting occurs when the ratio of carbon to nitrogen in the environment is 25:1 - 30:1. For example, cut grass, this is a ratio of 19:1 and autumn leaves - 55:1. Mixing these two ingredients in equal proportions gives a ratio of nutrients. In industrial composting observe this relationship quite closely, in the case of household composting is too complicated and easier to apply more recipes.
Purpose of composting
Types of compostingBackyard composting — If you have a yard and a balance of browns (fallen leaves or straw) and greens (grass clippings and food scraps), you have all you need to make compost. Worm composting (vermicomposting) — If you have a tiny yard or live in an apartment or have an abundance of food scraps, this type of composting is for you.
Grasscycling If you have grass clippings and don't want to use them in a compost pile you can leave them on the lawn to decompose.
10 good reasons why you should compost:
1.Yard and food waste make up 30% of the waste stream. Composting your kitchen and yard trimmings helps divert that waste from the landfill, waterways and water treatment facilities. 2.You will significantly reduce pest problems–and your use of pesticides. 3.Healthy plants from healthy soil look better, produce better and have a much greater ability to fight off pests and diseases. 4.Adding organic materials to the soil improves moisture retention.
5. Adding decomposed organic material to the soil feeds beneficial organisms.
6. Compost amends both sandy and clay soils.
7. Compost provides a balanced, slow– release source of nutrients that helps the soil hold nutrients long enough for plants to use them.
8. Composting saves money–you avoid the cost of buying soil conditioners,
bagged manure etc. 9. Feeding your plants well will improve your
own diet. Plants grown in depleted soils have a reduced nutrient content.
10. Home composting is a valuable tool in educating children about nature and the cycle of life.
Backyard CompostingBasics
Nature has been composting since the beginning of the earth. All organic matter eventually breaks down. Composting in your backyard uses the same principles that nature uses - we just try to speed it up by creating an environment that supports microbial activity. The elements necessary to promote this environment are: - Air - Moisture - Organic matter - Carbon to nitrogen ratio - Temperature - Volume
Compost IngredientsGreens = good sources of nitrogen
Grass clippings mix well so they do not pack down
Coffee grounds include filter
Fruit
Vegetables all vegetables & peelings
Egg shells adds calcium
Manure from herbivores
i.e., horse, cow, rabbit. Do not use if animal is sick
Tea bags
Hairhuman or animal, may be slow to degrade
Grains
Feathers
Blood meal extremely rich in nitrogen
Browns = good sources of carbon
Leaves improved aeration
Straw a good source of bulky material
Sawdust must be from untreated wood
Newspaper
Yard waste best cut to sizes 2" or less
Paperboardi.e., cereal boxes, paper plates and napkins, break into small pieces
Dried grasses good source of carbon
Wood ash must be from untreated wood
Diseased plantsdisease can spread if pile does not get hot enough
Weeds with seeds
or weeds that can sprout from bits of root. Seeds or bits of root may survive and sprout in garden if compost doesn't get hot enough to kill them.
Dog or cat fecesmay carry parasites and diseases that infect humans
Toxic chemicals (pesticides, etc.)
will harm or kill beneficial soil life
Charcoal (briquettes)
will not break down in compost
Fats, oils, grease
attracts animals and keep anything they coat from breaking down
Meat scraps, bones, cheese
slow to break down, smells bad and attracts animals
Treated logs contains high amount of chemicals
TroubleshootingProblem Possible Causes Solution
Odors May be too wet or may have too much green (nitrogen) or clumps of green
Turn your pile. Too much moisture can create odor problems and slow the composting process. Turn the pile and add dry browns i.e., leaves, sawdust, straw or newspaper.
Flies Exposed food Fruit flies are attracted to food scraps that are exposed on top of a pile. Always put your food waste in the middle of the pile and bury it into a few inches of brown material i.e., leaves or shredded newspaper.
Pile will not heat up Pile is too small
Pile is too dry
Lack of greens (nitrogen)
Add more material
Add water and turn
Add grass clippings, manure or food scraps
Pests i.e. raccoons, rats Exposed food especially meat, poultry, fish or fatty scraps
Turn pile to increase temperature or cover food with leaves, sawdust or soil. Always bury food a few inches down in the center of the pile.
Keep all lids fastened or weighted down.
Line the bottom of the bin with a small mesh wire if you suspect rodents are entering through the bottom.
Thank you for your attention
Alicja Proszkiewicz IIaPatrycja Stasińska IIaBrajan Szadkowski IIb