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The Art of Composting for LEAs

The Art of Composting for LEAs. Composting Technical Guidance for Local Enforcement Agency to Improve Effectiveness. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007. Composting Defined (Regulatory).

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The Art of Composting for LEAs

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  1. The Art of Composting for LEAs Composting Technical Guidance for Local Enforcement Agency to Improve Effectiveness The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  2. Composting Defined (Regulatory) “Active Compost” " means compost feedstock that is in the process of being rapidly decomposed and is unstable. Active compost is generating temperatures of at least 50 degrees Celsius (122 degrees Fahrenheit) during decomposition; or is releasing carbon dioxide at a rate of at least 15 milligrams per gram of compost per day, or the equivalent of oxygen uptake. conditions. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  3. Composts Happens … Any accumulation of compostable material will start to decay with or without purposeful management. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  4. Composting Transforms …. Almost every organic material can be composted. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  5. Composting Defined (Non-Regulatory) Composting: A process of biological and chemical transformation of organic matter toward more decay-resistant components under predominantly aerobic conditions. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  6. What’s Happening in Composting A Balanced Equation: CxHyOzN?S?P?K?...+ H2O + O2→ CO2 + H2O + ∆T + ∆LIFE + ?↑ The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  7. What Can Go Awry in Composting An Out-Of-Balance Equation? CxHyOzN?S?P?K?...+ H2O + O2→ CO2 + H2O + ∆T + ∆LIFE + ?↑ (feedstock mix) (moisture)(aeration) (temperature) (odors) The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  8. Composting and Moisture Optimal Moisture Content Range: 40-60% Moisture Distribution is Key “Cellular” and “Particle-Coating” are Best The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  9. Composting and Temperature Optimal Temperature Range: 125°-160°F Rate of Temperature Rise is Important When, How, Where to Measure? The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  10. Composting and Temperature Hot Top ↑Upper Third Cool Curb Cold Core Optimal Temperature Taking Location: Upper Third of the Pile The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  11. Composting and Temperature How Hot Is Too Hot: 160°-200°F Depends on the Material What’s the process, and where in it? The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  12. Composting and Temperature How Hot Is Too Hot: >200°F Product, Access, Fire Concerns Heterogeneous versus Homogeneous? The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  13. Composting and Fire How Hot Is Too Hot: Fire Concerns Heterogeneous?>175°F Homogeneous? >200°F The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  14. Composting and Agitation Optimal Agitation or “Turning” Rate? Depends on Process Purpose: Porosity, Homogeneity The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  15. Does the Recipe Work? Look to the Balanced Equation: CxHyOzN?S?P?K?...+ H2O + O2→ CO2 + H2O + ∆T + ∆LIFE + ?↑ (feedstock decomposition) (temperature) (odors) The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  16. Composting Rates Depend on the Mixture of Materials Fast/Hot ..... Moist Grass Clippings, Kitchen Wastes with Shaved Wood Medium/Warm ….Whole Weeds, Chipped Vernal Tree Trimmings Slow/Cool ....... Dry Leaves/ Branches, Autumn Tree Trimmings, Shredded Paper, Dry Chipped Wood The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  17. 1/3 chickens, 1/3 fresh litter, 1/3 wood chips, ... Grape pomace, wort solids, chipped tree trimmings, poultry litter, Composting Recipes Green material with dry leaves and brush, spent stable bedding, coffee grounds, … Wet Grass, Shredded Paper, Kitchen Scraps, Sawdust, … • Abundantly available materials • Add “balancing” materials to increase porosity or loft, raise or lower moisture content, • If dry, “coat” feedstock particles sparingly with water and thoroughly distribute by turning. The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  18. How Do We Know? Examples Again, Look to the Balanced Equation: CxHyOzN?S?P?K?...+ H2O + O2→ CO2 + H2O + ∆T + ∆LIFE + ?↑ (And maybe try it yourself!) The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  19. Small Composting Systems – 3 Bin Classic Large Garden Design Advantages: Simple, Multi-user friendly, Flexible feeding rates Disadvantages: Requires fair amount of space, May be difficult to “turn” The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  20. Small Composting Systems – 1 Bin Advantages: Simple, Small “footprint” Disadvantages: Challenges achieving temperatures, harvesting “finished” compost , and “turning” The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  21. Small Composting Systems – 2 Bin A Compromise Advantages: Flexible, Simple Disadvantages: Still requires fair amount of space, Some “Turning” challenges The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  22. Composting Systems – The Watson Way Phase A: Thermophilic Goal Weed and odor control, Vector deterrent Builds the “Compost Matrix” (Lasts about 6-9 months) The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  23. Composting Systems – The Watson Way Phase B: Vermi-Composting Food Scraps plus Carbon Sources And those Worms yields “Black Gold” (Up to 18 months including curing) The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  24. Composting - Getting Started • Home (Backyard) Composting Tips: • Start small, and with limited inputs • Add on slowly, amount/feedstock • Make it easy, fun, useful The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  25. Composting - Getting Started “The best composters in California are connected to their product.” The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

  26. Composting and Connection “Being physically anchored to the earth helps to keep my ego from bobbing along mindlessly on the sea of life.” Huston Smith, from Making Perfect Dirt The Art of Composting / CIWMB Sustainability Presentation / 2007

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