COMPOSTING
Boya Ritu Shravya and Surekha Velagala
Money, Marketing and Management
Pragnya Montessori School
Abstract - This article presents a report on the basics, procedure, benefits, Methods, and
our experiments with composting. It also presents our future plans and final output.
Composting is an important practice for cultivation. By obtaining correct proportions of
nitrogen, carbon, oxygen, and water, high quality compost is made and used in our
school. Go though this article to start composting yourself
Keywords - Aeration, Decomposition, organic matter, microorganisms, Bokashi
Introduction
Composting is a natural and environment- friendly process that involves the decomposition of
organic materials into a nutrient-rich soil conditioner known as compost. This process is
facilitated by microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and other decomposers, which break
down organic matter into a stable and humus-like material.
Basics of Composting
Principles of Composting:
To obtain high quality compost it needs to contain the correct proportion of nitrogen, carbon,
oxygen, and water. In order to make your compost contain both nitrogen and carbon, you need
to add brown and green organic matters. The Brown materials help absorb excess water and
prevent the compost from releasing out the unpleasant odors. On the other hand, Green
materials add nitrogen, moisture, and also help conserve heat. Examples of Brown organic
materials are the bark of trees, dried leaves, paper, eggs, cartons, evergreen needles, dead
houseplants, cardboard, straw, dried grass clippings, and shredded newsprint, and the examples
of green materials include green leaves, garden waste, fruit peels (but avoid citrus peels), coffee
grounds, eggshells, vegetables, and flowers.
Organic Matter:
Composting primarily involves the decomposition of organic materials, such as kitchen scraps
(fruit and vegetable peels, coffee grounds), yard waste (leaves, grass clippings), and other
plant-based materials. These materials provide a source of carbon (often referred to as
"browns") and nitrogen (referred to as "greens”) to create a balanced compost pile.
Microorganisms:
Various microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, play a crucial role in breaking down the
organic matter. These microorganisms require the right balance of carbon and nitrogen to thrive
and efficiently decompose the materials.
Aeration:
Adequate aeration is essential for composting. Turning or mixing the compost pile helps provide
oxygen to the microorganisms, promoting aerobic decomposition. This also helps prevent
unpleasant odors associated with anaerobic decomposition.
Moisture:
The compost pile needs to maintain a certain level of moisture for microbial activity to occur.
However, excessive moisture can lead to anaerobic conditions and bad odors. Proper moisture
balance is crucial for effective composting.
Temperature:
Composting generates heat as a byproduct of microbial activity. The internal temperature of a
compost pile can rise significantly during the active decomposition phase. This heat helps
accelerate the breakdown of materials and can contribute to pathogen and weed seed
destruction.
Methods
Backyard Composting Bin:
This is a simple and popular method for homeowners with small to medium-sized yards.
Compost bins can be purchased or made at home using materials like wood, plastic, or metal.
The bin provides containment for the composting materials and helps maintain the right
conditions for decomposition.
Compost Tumbler:
Tumblers are rotating containers that make turning the compost easy. They come in various
sizes and designs, allowing for faster decomposition. Tumblers are particularly useful for
people with limited space or those who want a more contained and controlled composting
process.
Vermicomposting:
Vermicomposting involves the use of worms (usually red wigglers) to break down organic
matter. Worms eat kitchen scraps and other organic materials, producing nutrient-rich castings
(worm poop) that make an excellent fertilizer. Vermicomposting is well-suited for small spaces,
such as apartments, and can be done indoors.
Sheet Composting:
Also known as Lasagna gardening, this method involves layering organic materials directly onto
the garden bed without the need for a traditional compost pile. Layers of brown and green
materials are stacked like a lasagna, and over time, they break down, enriching the soil.
Pit or Trench Composting:
This involves digging a pit or trench in the ground and filling it with alternating layers of green
and brown materials. It's an in-ground composting method that is especially useful for
composting kitchen scraps and garden waste.
Hot Composting:
Hot composting is an active and accelerated composting method that involves creating a large
pile all at once. The pile is turned regularly to provide oxygen to microbes, and the high
temperatures generated speed up the decomposition process. This method is ideal for larger
amounts of organic waste.
Cold Composting:
Cold composting is a slower, more passive method where materials are added gradually over
time, and the pile decomposes at a slower rate. It requires less effort and is suitable for those
who don't want to turn the compost pile regularly.
Bokashi Composting:
Bokashi is a Japanese method of fermenting kitchen waste using a specialized bran that
contains effective microorganisms. The process is anaerobic and occurs in a sealed container.
Once fermented, the material can be buried or added to a traditional compost pile.
Windrow Composting:
Windrows are long, narrow piles of composting materials that are turned regularly to promote
aeration. This method is often used on a larger scale, such as in municipal composting facilities
or on farms.
Advantages
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Compost is a nutrient-rich soil conditioner that enhances soil structure and fertility. It
adds essential organic matter, improving water retention and nutrient availability for
plants.
Composting diverts organic waste, such as kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, from
landfills. This helps reduce the overall volume of waste in landfills and extends the
lifespan of landfill sites.
When organic waste decomposes in landfills, it produces methane, a potent greenhouse
gas. Composting organic materials aerobically (with oxygen) generates carbon dioxide
instead, which has a lower impact on climate change.
Compost improves soil structure, reducing erosion and enhancing water retention in the
soil. This can lead to more efficient water use in gardens and agricultural settings.
Compost contains beneficial microorganisms that can suppress harmful pathogens and
pests, promoting a healthier growing environment for plants.
Composting at home reduces the need for commercial soil amendments and fertilizers,
saving money for gardeners. On a larger scale, municipalities can save on waste
disposal costs by implementing composting programs.
Compost enhances soil structure by promoting the development of soil aggregates. This
creates a crumbly, well-aerated soil that allows for better root penetration and drainage.
Composting helps sequester carbon in the soil, acting as a carbon sink. This contributes
to mitigating climate change by reducing the overall concentration of carbon dioxide in
the atmosphere.
Our Procedure
Method -I: WET COMPOSTING
During the months of June and July 2023 the work & study group was assigned the task of
composting. It was started in order to use the food waste that was produced in the kitchen.
After exploring many different ideas, methods and visiting a few places to get to the bottom of
what composting actually is, the Bokashi method was chosen.
To encourage re-purposing and reuse of objects, 4 old buckets from our school were taken.
Holes on the sides and bottom were drilled into them (excluding the fourth bucket) and lidded to
maximize aeration in the compost. Green waste and Brown waste in a ratio of 1:2 was added .
As at that time there was a lot of leftover jowar grass after mushroom cultivation ,it was added
as the brown part of the waste in the compost. The daily waste was taken from the kitchen,
added to the first bucket, and double the quantity of green waste of jowar grass was mixed with
it properly. Once the first bucket was full, it was placed in the second row of the stacked buckets
and the second one came on top. The same process was repeated until the fourth bucket was
at the top. The 4th bucket below the first one that got filled was used only for collecting all the
leachate, an extremely nutritious liquid the compost produces, used for plant growth. By the
time the last bucket got filled with the waste, the first one that was filled (bucket no.1)was ready
with compost. (Note: All the contents of the buckets have to be mixed every day for proper
aeration and so that they don't form a white fungal layer on top).
Unfortunately, this method didn’t work out. For some reason, the area around the compost was
infested with a lot of ants. It was assumed that the infestation could have been because of the
jowar grass or something, but the exact reason remains unknown.
Efforts were made to prevent them by not only using an ant repellent but also changing the ratio
of the green and brown waste to 1:1. Trials were conducted with some other types of brown
waste like leaves, twigs etc., but due to the incessant rain in the monsoon weather all the leaves
and twigs were damp and could not be used. Finally the whole thing had to be discarded; it was
all in vain.
Method -II: DRY COMPOSTING
After the Bokashi method of composting failed, we decided to restart everything and try out a
new method, ie., Dry composting. This new method requires the food waste to be dried before
being added to a bucket. The vegetable waste like peels, crowns, leaves, patiole, roots ,pods,
etc., are collected and trimmed roughly. These trimmings are dried for a day and then added to
the compost bin . It is then layered with soil and sprinkled with a composting agent.
Future plans
Conclusion