Compost 101

LocationDate , 2016

Presented by:Speaker #1 Speaker #2

Environmental concerns The process: composting

The product: compost

Composting at home

Presentation outline

Compost 101 and Composting at home

● Environmental concerns linked to organic waste management

● The process of composting organic waste

● Compost as an end result, a product

● Composting at home, outside and inside

Environmental concerns

1.0

Landfilling organic waste● Leachate● Water table and nearby

rivers● Watershed scale● Greenhouse gas emissions● Alternative: Make better use

of organic “resources”

1.1

Agricultural land issues● Use of biocides

○ Pesticides○ Herbicides○ Fungicide

● Use of synthetic fertilizers○ Algae bloom

● Watershed scale impacts● Concentration effect● Solution: use of compost

1.2

Urban land issues

● Contaminated land○ Illegal dumping

● Degraded land● Construction sites● Abandoned land● Solution: use of compost

1.3

The Process of Composting

2.0

Soil food web● Organic waste / resource

○ All organic matter● Microfauna● Microflora● Fauna● Flora● Nutrient cycling

2.1

Modern composting ● Composting: Managed process of bio-oxidation of a solid

heterogeneous organic substrate, including a thermophilic phase

● Improved technology● Targeting conditions favorable to composting● Scale of composting

○ Domestic○ Farm○ Commercial○ Industrial

2.2

2.3

Time

°C

45°C

Larger scale composting

2.4

Compost: the end product

3.0

Compost: the end product ● Components

○ Sand / Silt / Clay○ Water○ Carbon & Nitrogen○ Other Essential Nutrients (Potassium, Phosphorus,

Calcium, Magnesium, Iron, etc)○ Biota

● Physical properties○ Porosity○ Water retention capacity○ 45-65% water (should be damp but not wet)

● Chemical properties○ pH○ C:N, other nutrients○ Cation exchange capacity (CEC)

3.1

Benefits of adding compost to your garden PHYSICAL:

● Improves structure - both immediate and long term○ Enhances aggregation in sandy soils○ Reduces compaction in clay and clay-loam soils○ Increases porosity for easier access to roots by water and gasses

● Helps soil retain, distribute and manage moisture content

CHEMICAL:

● Modifies, stabilizes and buffers pH levels● Increases Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) of soils

○ Reduces nutrient leaching○ Facilitates slow release of nutrients to soil and plants

3.2

Benefits of adding compost to your garden BIOLOGICAL:

● Adds life to soil○ Bacteria, protozoa, actinomycetes, fungi○ Sufficient organic matter promotes earthworm proliferation, which helps

with soil aeration and water filtration● Suppresses plant diseases

○ … But, if it is homemade, ensure it is mature, has achieved the necessary temperatures for the inputs that went in, and has a good C:N ratio.

3.3

Benefits of adding compost to your garden ADDITIONAL:

● Binds contaminants (including heavy metals)● Degrades compounds (including petrochemicals)● Wetland restoration● Erosion control● Weed control● Filtration capacities (sediment barrier)

3.4

Composting at home

4.0

Backyard composting

4.1

● Outdoors● Larger volume

○ 4-5 persons● Seasonal

○ Less active during winter● Varied inputs● Needs space

○ In contact with the soil● Easy management

Worm composting

4.2

● Indoors● Smaller volume

○ 1-2 persons● All year round● Selected inputs● Needs very little space

○ Cupboard, underneath sink● Slightly technical

○ Basic knowledge is required

Rules of thumb

● Humidity: wrung out sponge

● Odor: earthy smell● Size: 1 cubic meter● Aeration: once a month● Location: covered● Inputs: smaller is better

4.3

● Humidity: slight condensation

● Odor: earthy smell● Size: 2 shoe boxes or

more● Aeration: leave open for

the night if condensation happens underneath the lid

● Location: stable● Inputs: smaller is better

Backyard composting Worm composting

Useful tools ● Gloves● Fork● Shovel● Lock and chain● Trowel● Weeding fork / cultivator● Extra carbon material

4.4

Troubleshooting

● Odors● Pest (squirrels,

raccons)● Soggy compost● Weeds● Ants● maggots

4.5

● Odors● Flies● Waterlogged● Small insects taking

over the bin● Roaming behavior

Backyard composting Worm composting

Inputs and Foods

● Balance Carbon and Nitrogen (C:N)● Water content● Required composting conditions● Impact on composting conditions

4.6

Inputs and Food Activity

Q&A

Thank you !

Thomson House, McGill March 30th, 2016

Presented by:Vincent Beaudoin

Cameron Stiff

Environmental concerns The process: composting

The product: compost

Composting at home