Why Compost?
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If the average family of four does not compost, the waste they send to the landfill annually produces approximately one ton of methane gas. (Based on EPA statistics of 3.09 lbs. per person per day. For our purposes we have based our calculations on 1.37 lbs. per person per day to adjust for non-organic waste.)
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1 lb. organic waste in a landfill = .31 lbs. of methane
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1 lb. of methane gas is the equivalent of 62 lbs. of CO2 (.31 x 62 = 19.22)
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Driving one mile in the average car produces one pound of CO2.
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This means that the average family that does not compost (resulting in 1 ton of methane to escape) will cause as much global warming as driving a car 124,000 miles.
Composting with heat: All organic material decomposes
(rots) with the help of various bacteria, fungi and
other organisms. Composting requires nitrates (grass clippings,
manure, fresh yard waste), carbon (dried leaves, stems,
shredded newspaper), water and oxygen. When these
four elements are combined in a balanced way and in a
sizable container (5’x5’x5’) it will produce a hot
decomposition of the materials. In a few weeks the
yard waste will turn into high quality organic compost.
Composting with worms: Composting with worms is very easy. Just put
the worms in a bin (that is protected from the weather
and rodents) and keep adding food waste. Don’t
include meat or dairy products. Keep oils to a
minimum. After a couple of weeks, move the food at
the top to another bin (this has many of the worms) and
throw the rest into the regular compost pile.
Worms will finish off the decomposition process and
produce the best organic compost.
Composting Methods |
Characteristics |
Advantages/Disadvantages |
Anaerobic |
Decomposition without
oxygen |
Produces methane gas, a major
greenhouse gas |
Aerobic |
Decomposition with oxygen |
Produces organic fertilizer. |
Psychrophilic |
Low Temp (0-50F) |
Very Slow
decomposition |
Mesophelic |
Medium Temp (50-90 F) |
Medium speed decomposition;
material decomposes, but seeds, pathogens and
parasites are not killed. |
Thermophelic |
High Temp (90-160 F) |
Fast speed decomposition; kills
all pathogens, parasites and seeds. |
Hydrothermophelic |
Very High Temp (160-200F) |
Kills all pathogens, parasites,
seeds as well as all lower temperature bacteria
and fungi. Fire hazard. |
Vermicomposting |
Composting with worms and other
small insects |
Produces worm castings, the most
desired organic fertilizer. |
Information courtesy of Integrated Environmental Alternatives |
