Composting: Easy as Dirt!

Are you making the most of your trash? 23% is compostable.

What is composting? Managed decomposition Produces a useable product

Buffet bar for nature’s composters Decomposers Carbon Nitrogen Moisture Air

Feedstock Brown (Carbon) + Green (Nitrogen)

Basic Techniques Build the pile Turn the Pile Monitor the pile Add food Add activators Cover food Turn the Pile Poke Monitor the pile Check moisture Check temperature

Basic Composting Forms Piles Batches

Open Piles, Sheet or Site Composting

Contained Pile Earth Machine from Metro Nashville Beautification sales at Omohundro Omohundro backyard composting demo site Earth Machine from Metro Nashville

Batch Composters

Where can I put a compost bin?

Is the temperature fluctuating? What does it look like? Are we done yet? Is the temperature fluctuating? What does it look like? How does it smell?

What do you get? Mulch is mulch. Potting soil is potting soil. Mix with water for quick compost tea.

Special Community Projects Schools Community Gardens Therapy

Lockeland Elementary School K-4th Grade Composting Program

Lockeland Elementary School K-4th Grade Composting Program

Eakin Elementary School – Compost Collection Bin

Cafeteria Food Waste in an Earth Machine Bin

Not Just Fun in the Sun

Worm Compost Bins

Community Outreach, Education, & Therapy East Nashville Ministries Community Gardens Park Center Master Composter Class

Metro Public Works www.nashville.gov/beautification Click on “Backyard Composting” How to publications Compost supplies available at cost Earth Machine $45 Green Cone $100 Thermometer $10 Kitchen Collection Bucket $10

Metro Beautification & Environment Commission Jeffrey Ezell Metro Beautification & Environment Commission Jeffrey.ezell@nashville.gov 880-2419