Composting
Composting is an important way to recycle -- both at home, work and school, where organic material is used and waste is created. It is estimated that about 50 percent of the total waste stream could be composted! Composting not only helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfills, it produces a valuable soil amendment which can improve the texture and fertility of the soil.
The composting process uses micro-organisms such as bacteria and fungi to break down the organic materials. For the process to work best, it is important that the micro-organisms have a continuous supply of food (i.e. organics), water and oxygen. As well, managing the temperature of the composting material is important to make the process work.
THE RECIPE FOR SUCCESSFUL COMPOST
1. Food: It’s important to maintain a suitable carbon-to-nitrogen ratio, or brown-to-green ratio, in your compost pile. You can achieve this by adding your organic waste in layers of brown and green.
The following is a list of organic waste you may find in a school setting:
Browns:
Dried leaves
Dried grass clippings
Woodchips and sawdust
Shredded paper and newspaper
Shredded boxboard and paper towel rolls
Greens:
Fruit peels and scraps
Vegetable scraps
Coffee grounds and filters
Tea bags
Fresh grass clippings
Avoid:
All meat products
All dairy products
Fish and shells
Bones
Fat, grease, oils and sauces
Tip: Each time you add your green waste, cover with a layer of brown waste like dried leaves, sawdust, shredded paper or cardboard.
2. Water: Your compost pile should be as moist as a wrung-out sponge. When you touch the pile it should feel damp but when you squeeze it no liquid should run out. Tip: Add browns to absorb excess moisture and green to add moisture.
3. Oxygen: For decomposition to take place oxygen must get to the bottom and center of the pile. Turn your compost regularly to increase oxygen flow within the pile. Tip: Turn the pile as food wastes are added- this will help the material to compost more quickly.
4. Volume: Your compost pile should be large enough to hold the heat generated through the composting process but small enough to let oxygen into the center.
5. Surface Area: More surface area contributes to faster decomposition. Tip: Chopping up materials before adding them to the bin will increase the surface area.
Given our cool climate and short summer season, the composting process can take anywhere from one to two years. Finished compost, called humus, is dark and crumbly and has an earthy smell. You will know when your compost is ready when it takes this form and none of the original materials (food scraps) are visible.
