Recycling organic materials:

Transcription

1

2

3 Outline I. What is composting? II. Why compost? Benefits & myths III. Composter placement & assembly IV. How to operate & maintain V. Common problems & solutions VI. Resources VII. Program details VIII. Q&A, discussion & evaluation

4 Objectives I. To give you the information and tools you need to successfully compost II. To highlight the benefits and bust the myths about composting III. To ensure you understand the program commitment

5 What is composting? Recycling organic materials: In nature organics decompose to become humus Copy this process with kitchen & yard waste Decomposition is just breaking down material so it can be used again

6 Why compost? Improves yard and garden: Improves plant growth Reduces need for fertilizers and herbicides Releases nutrients slowly You know what s in it Safe for children and pets Free!

7 Why compost? Helps conserve and protect water: Reduces the need to water Keeps rivers and creeks healthier Decreases erosion and run-off

8 Why compost? Helps the environment: Reduces waste sent to landfill by up to half Recycles organic waste back to the earth Reduces trucks and landfill space needed Reduces greenhouse gas emissions

9 Why compost? Improves your city: Goal to reduce residential waste to landfill by 10% by 2015 Reduce strain on waste management and waste water systems (garburator use)

10 Residential Waste Disposal (2002) (Source: NRCAN 2006) Plastics, 10% Metal, 2% Glass, 3% Paper, 21% Organics, 49% The average Albertan disposes 289 kg of residential waste every year Other, 12% Hazardous Waste, 11% Renovation, 2%

11

12

13 Myths about composting I have no use for finished compost. FALSE: excellent slow-release soil amendment for lawns, trees and shrubs. Composting takes a lot of time and effort. FALSE: takes only 15 minutes a week. Composting is smelly, messy and will attract pests. FALSE: proper compost techniques will eliminate these issues. I don t have enough organic waste to bother. FALSE: organics are one-third to one-half of household waste.

14 Placing & assembling your composter Space: 50 cm x 50 cm; 1 m high Sunniest convenient spot Level and well drained On soil, grass, concrete; not on wood or vinyl Can be moved

15 Greens Compost Ingredients

16 Browns Compost Ingredients

17 Compost Ingredients Water Soil Sun

18 What doesn t go in the composter?

19 Compost Recipe Repeat Shovel of soil (once) 5-10 cm greens Wet the pile 5-10 cm dry browns 5 cm of twigs

20 Activity: Build your own compost pile

21 The more effort you put in, the more compost you ll get out. Continue Layering Save your browns! Add moisture as needed Mix often to speed the process Compost thermometer to tell if it s cooking

22 What s happening? - Microbe farm: bacteria, fungi, protozoa - Heat is a by-product of break down - Want it to get hot: >40 degrees for 5 days

23 When is my compost ready? - Look and feel like topsoil: dark, crumbly - Smell earthy - Should not be able to identify original material - Centre of the pile is not hot

24 How do I harvest my compost? Dig out of the bottom of the bin Or remove unfinished from the top, set aside and take from bottom Can screen it

25 How do I use my compost? - Dig into vegetable or flower beds - Planting: mix 1/3 compost with 2/3 soil - Place around root zone of trees and shrubs - Top dress lawn - Mulch perennial beds - Compost tea

26 Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Solution Smells like rotten eggs Smells like ammonia -Compaction or not enough air -Too much moisture Too many greens -Aerate; turn several times -Add browns Add browns and aerate

27 Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Solution Pests - Flies like fruit -Mice, wasps & ants like dry piles - Magpies, dogs & skunks like animal products Do not add meat, grains, cooked food; bury freshly added scraps in pile or cover in browns; keep pile moist

28 Troubleshooting Symptom Problem Solution Process is slow Not heating up Not enough surface area Lack moisture or greens Make pieces smaller: cm or 8-10 Add moisture and/or greens

29 Troubleshooting Letting your composter go wild: 1.Bylaw officer will investigate complaint 2. If complaint is found to valid: a. warned first by letter b. fines starting at $200 c. The City could clean it up and bill you

30 FAQ 1. Can I compost over the winter? Yes. The cold will stop or drastically slow the process but you can continue to add materials year round. 2. What do I do with compost I can t use? If you have no lawn, garden, trees or plants of any kind gift it to a gardener; Freecycle

31 FAQ 3. Can I compost weeds? With caution, when the seeds are green or dried. Don t add quack grass, anything diseased, anything treated with pesticides/herbicides or rhubarb leaves. 4. Can I compost pet feces? Not in your backyard composter.

32 FAQ 5. Do I need a commercial compost starter or accelerator? No. These typically contain nitrogen (found in greens), protein or dehydrated bacteria. Use the proper mix of browns and greens, and a scoop of garden soil to introduce organisms.

33 Program details Training - Workshop - Package: brochure from AB Environment, kitchen catcher prompt sticker Tools - Composter, kitchen catcher, Wing-digger - Trash tracker

34 Commitment - Contract: present it to get your tools - Live in the city of Red Deer - Want to learn to compost - Commit for one year - Measure and report: Trash Tracker & final survey Timeline - Follow up: on-site visit and/or phone call in summer/fall - Submit Trash Tracker in May/June Exit survey May/June 2013

35 Resources How to get help: Online:

36 Wrap up Thanks to: - Shell FuellingChange: - Kerry Wood Nature Centre - Parks - Waste Management - One Simple Act Sign contracts & submit Trash Trackers Do workshop evaluation Q&A, discussion