Solid Wastes

CompostingComposting Composting can be thought of the oldest and most natural form of recycling Composting can be thought of the oldest and most natural form of recycling

Matter in Ecosystems ABIOTIC BIOTIC matter continuously cycles through ecosystems

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

What composts ? Solid Wastes yard wastes yard wastes food wastes food wastes

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

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

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

Composting Organisms of the compost pile need food food water water air air -- our organic wastes -- needed by all life -- O 2 for aerobic bacteria and other organisms and other organisms -- O 2 for aerobic bacteria and other organisms and other organisms

Composting Food for compost organisms in the lingo or jargon of composting, the food (our organic wastes) can be divided into in the lingo or jargon of composting, the food (our organic wastes) can be divided into GREENSGREENS andand BROWNSBROWNS

Composting Food for compost organisms GREENSGREENS BROWNSBROWNS -- are rich in nitrogen -- are rich in carbon

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

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

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

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

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

Composting water for the compost organisms the optimal moisture is about as damp as a wrung out sponge the optimal moisture is about as damp as a wrung out sponge however, the optimal moisture is not necessary for composting to occur however, the optimal moisture is not necessary for composting to occur

Composting air for the compost organisms provides O 2 for aerobic organisms provides O 2 for aerobic organisms O 2 allows growth of aerobic bacteria and kills anaerobic bacteria O 2 allows growth of aerobic bacteria and kills anaerobic bacteria

Composting air for the compost organisms aerobic bacteria decompose wastes rapidly and without odors aerobic bacteria decompose wastes rapidly and without odors anaerobic bacteria decompose wastes slowly and can cause foul 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 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 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 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 pile does not need to be warm for composting to occur, it will just take longer for complete decomposition of the wastes

Composting The compost pile the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard 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 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 the optimal size for a compost pile is approximately one cubic yard however, an optimal size is not necessary for composting to occur 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 many food wastes can be composted, including fruits, vegetables, cereals, coffee & filters, tea bags also see the handout also see the handout

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

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

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

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

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

Finished Compost

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

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

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

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

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

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

CompostingComposting What’s the difference ? the length of time

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

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