LOCATIONS
Bio &
Compost
Bio and Compost waste should either be composted at home or taken to a composting facility!
What belongs here?
Remember!
Try to keep a ration of 3 parts brown for 1 part green material. Make sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded.
Greens to produce nitrogen
Fruits and vegetables
Coffe grounds
Tea bags from natural materials
Egg shells
Grass and plant clippings
Hair
Browns to produce carbon
Wood ash
(not coal)
Dry leaves
Wood
chippings
Paper
(Shredded)
Cardboard
Straw and hay
What does NOT belong here?
Meat, fish scracps
Dairy prodcuts
Animal feces
Cooking oil
Heavily coated printed paper
Diapers
Important tips, facts and myths
Composting:
Composting means mixing specific waste materials so they decompose, leading to nutrient rich soil that helps plants grow. By composting you keep compostable waste products out of the landfill, meanwhile creating soil for your plants to grow in.
How to compost at home?
Step 1 - Creating your composting bin:
Buy or build a composting bin there are a number of different options. For outdoor we recommend a tumbling composter, for indoor there is the option of worm composting.
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Step 2 - Add brown and green material in alternate layers:
Try to keep a ration of 3 parts brown for 1 part green material. Make sure larger pieces are chopped or shredded.
Step 3 - Keep compost moist (but not wet):
The moisture helps with the breakdown of organic matter. It is preferable to keep your compost near a water source in order to make this step easier.
Step 4 - Turn your compost mixture:
Turning your compost helps with aeration, which speeds up the process and keeps things from getting smelly. Tumbling composters make this step a lot easier (just spin instead of shoveling).
Step 5 - Your compost will get warm:
Don't be alarmed if your compost gets warm or even starts steaming, it is all part of the process. This means that you are doing it right, just wait.
Step 6 - Your nutrient rich soil is ready:
If your compost has a dark color and there are no remnants of food or waste, this means that it is ready. Add it to your lawn plants.
Vermicomposting (composting indoors):
This type of composting uses red wiggler earthworms worms to break down organic matter. This method is ideal for indoor composting, because it uses far less space. Place worms in a container which is layered with dirt, newspaper and leaves. Poke small holes on the bottom of the bin for drainage and ventilation. The waste that you throw here slowly will be replaced by nutrient-rich worm excrement.
Common questions
Where is the best place to put your compost?
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Pick a sheltered spot that doesn't get directly hit by sunlight, close to a water source and is still easily accessible.
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Can you compost in winter?
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Yes you can. If researchers at the south pole were able to compost their waste successfully, you can do it as well.
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Does compost smell bad?
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A well built compost has an inoffensive earthy smell and should not produce unpleasant odors. If your compost does smell it means that there is either to much green waste (ammonia smell) or to little air (rotten egg smell).
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Do you need fertilizer as well if you use compost?
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The nutritional value of the soil produced depends on the materials that were used to make it. For most cases compost should provide a concentrated enough source of nutrients.
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