Project Terra Nova

Project New Earth - Time for Change

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The Basic Components of Composting

In our previous post, we discussed shortly about what composting is and how it is a solution to plastic trash bags. Now let’s take one step further and talk about the different types of composting and all the details. First off, when composting there are certain things that we need to pay attention to which are the nutrient balance, particle size, moisture content, oxygen flow as well as the temperature. Now it isn’t too complicated, quite simple actually as these components can be controlled.

 Nutrient Balance

Not every waste can be composted. Composting requires a balance of two organic materials which contains high amounts of nitrogen and carbon, and obtaining the right amount of the two combinations will take some time and patience. The organic material which contains high amounts of nitrogen includes grass, food scraps and coffee grounds, while carbon waste includes dry leaves and wood chips.

 Particle Size

The size of waste you put into your compost bin is also a supporting factor. The size needs to be just right. Not too big and not too small. Bigger waste size will be difficult for the microorganisms to process whereas when your waste is too small, it will affect the oxygen flow, preventing air to flow freely through.

 Moisture

Every living thing needs water, even microorganisms. So make sure to keep your compost pile slightly moist. Yes, the organic waste you put in contains some moisture, but it might not be enough to keep the pile moist, so it is important to constantly check and add some water when it is too dry.

 Oxygen Flow

Another thing every living thing need to survive is oxygen. Oxygen helps the decomposition process to occur faster. It is important to mix the pile to help with the oxygen flow. However, be careful not to overdo it as increasing oxygen flow will lessen the moisture of the pile.

 Temperature

Here we are at the most vital component of composting basics. Microorganisms require to be kept at a certain temperature to be able to survive and decompose effectively. Microbial activity might raise the pile’s temperature up to 60 degrees celsius. But if you manage to control all the other components, you shouldn’t worry about this.

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A Short Introduction to Composting.

It is common to use plastic bags as trash bags as it is much easier to just gather up the lip of the bag and toss out the trash without getting our hands dirty or even smelly and it also occurred to us to question what to do with our fruit peels if we are going to eliminate trash bags. So after some pondering we found that we can compose our organic waste. We did a little research on compost and found that putting our kitchen waste in plastic bags is the cause of all the unpleasant smell as the combination of fruit and vegetables decay with bones and leftover foods. How disturbing is that! Nowadays technology has developed uncontrollably and there are plenty of gadgets you can install in your kitchen to help you compose your food waste instantly without the hassle, but those things are pretty pricey so we found a much easier way to compose in a barrel. But before we get there, here’s a little summary on what composting is:

What is Composting?

Composting is the natural process of decomposing organic material into nutritious soil. It can be used as a fertiliser for your garden because it is chemical free and safe for your plants. Many store bought fertilisers have harmful chemicals that can contaminate the soil and destroy the ecosystem. Fertilisers that are made with chemicals are dangerous because the roots of the plants immediately absorb them and the residue poisons microbes, which are important in helping the plants grow. The soil will also turn hard and cause greenhouse gas, which is dangerous for our planet. 

Benefits of Composting?

1. Improve chemical, physical and biological properties and soil structure even for critical land.

2. Sprinkling garden and garden soil, storing oxygen, binding ground water, as a planting medium. 

3. Rich in various nutritional elements of organic plants such as Phosphorous, Potassium and Magnesium which are released slowly. 

4. Crop production in growing media and soil rich in organic matter will be healthy and productivity will increase.

So here’s an idea for you about compost, stay tuned for our next post!