Composting

What is Composting?

Composting is nature's process of recycling decomposed organic materials into a rich soil known as compost. By composting your organic waste, you are returning nutrients back into the soil in order for the cycle of life to continue. Finished compost looks like soil–dark brown, crumbly and smells like a forest floor.

Compost is made by decomposing organic waste such as food waste (vegetable/fruit waste, other kitchen waste) plant material (leaves, grass clippings), paper etc.

4 conditions are required to create compost: browns, greens, air and water.

  • Browns: Dead plant matter like dried leaves, straws, weeds, grass etc. emits carbon.
  • Greens: Fresh plant matter that comes from fruit and vegetable waste, green leaves, coffee grounds, tea bags etc. produce nitrogen.
  • Air: Required for faster decomposition; the compost materials should be regularly turned and shaken.
  • Water: The compost materials should get water in the right amounts; should be moist, not wet to have the right time of decomposition.

When one or more element is not in balance, aerobic decomposition is not optimal. This is when it takes longer or remains incomplete. It's just like getting the right balance of materials while cooking!

Types of Composting

  • Aerobic Composting: It is decomposition of organic matter using microorganisms that require oxygen.
  • Anaerobic Composting: It is decomposition of organic matter using microorganisms that does not require oxygen.
  • Vermicomposting: The use of earthworms for composting organic residues.