Composting is a traditional, natural, biological process for disposal of organic garden and kitchen waste materials. It is easy to do and requires very little specialized knowledge or equipment. With a little extra effort to collect waste material, a successful composting process can be established in a short time. In this way, the quantity of organic waste destined for limited landfill space can be reduced.
How can composted material be used?Composting effectively recycles the waste organic matter into a useful material that can be used as a soil conditioner, as a mulch and also as a fertilizer as it contains nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and trace elements. It is, in summary, an organically stabilized product beneficial to soil and growing crops.
What does composted material look like?It resembles peat, being a rich dark brown colour, crumbly in texture and having a pleasant earthy smell. It should have no toxic components (heavy metals, pesticides) or non-biodegradable materials such as glass and plastics. There will be an absence of pathogens and also seeds from weeds. It is thus a natural, harmless, useful material generated from the decomposition of material that might otherwise be sent to landfill. Positioning of the compost bin
The compost bin should be placed on well drained soil, in a sunny spot away from the wind. There will be water released from the compost so it is important that the soil drains well. In fact, it is a good idea to loosen the soil first before the compost bin is placed in position. Positioning of the bin over the soil allows migration of soil micro-organisms as well as worms, which help to aerate and process the compost. The run-off water from a compost bin is a rich source of nutrients. If it is wished to avail of this, divert run off to a container so that it can be retained and used for plants.
The bin should be placed where it can be accessed during the winter months when rain, mud, etc., can make access more difficult. In cooler climates, in order to encourage and maintain heat, it may be necessary to cover the compost bin with an old rug, mat, piece of carpet or hessian sack. Also during colder weather the degradation process will be slowed down so it is important not to overload the bin. However, use of a biological product such as BFL EcoCompost can overcome this.
Always keep the lid on the bin as it keeps in heat and moisture as well as keeping out the rain.
How long is the composting process?Different materials will decompose at different rates but they will break down eventually. To speed things up, shred material so that it is in smaller pieces and / or use a biological product, BFL Ecocompost, which will greatly accelerate the composting process especially during the winter months. Using the helpful hints in the table at the end of this document will also help to produce good compost in a timely fashion.
How to layer the compost material?To start the compost bin, place bulky material such as twigs or straw at the base as this will help air circulation. Layers of fruit, vegetable and garden waste can then be mixed and added. At intervals of 15 cm, spray the compost with BFL Ecocompost. This contains micro-organisms that accelerate the process and eliminate odours.
As a result of composting, the contents of the compost bin will decrease to about 1/3rd its original volume.
What is BFL EcoCompost?Composting is a process where the organic material is transformed and stabilized by the activities of a succession of microbial populations. BFL EcoCompost is a liquid biological product containing carefully selected natural micro-organisms that readily adapt to the compost ecosystem. BFL EcoCompost contains a blend of bacteria that operate efficiently at the wide range of temperatures encountered in the compost environment.
Those micro-organisms that like the 20-45oC temperature range (referred to as mesophiles) initiate the degradative process breaking down the simpler organic waste material. As the temperature exceeds 45oC, another group of organisms (referred to as thermophiles) become active. These micro-organisms continue the degradative process and are largely responsible for the degradation of the more complex material such as twigs, leaf stems and straw, this occurs mainly at 5060oC. It is in this range that the maximum degradation and stabilization of organic material occurs. Once the food supply runs out, the temperature will drop. The result is a stable compost, ready for use.
The longer the temperatures are maintained at 5060oC, the better will be the destruction of pathogens, which is important for future handling of the compost. Also weed seeds and plant diseases can be destroyed at these temperatures.
BFL EcoCompost contains a small quantity of enzymes that initiate the degradative process. Once the bacteria are present in sufficient numbers, their own enzymes will have a significant impact. There are nutrients included in the package to stimulate initial microbial activity.
BFL EcoCompost should be used at rates already specified. It can also be added to problem compost heaps where the indigenous population has been wiped out due to high temperatures (65-70oC) or adverse conditions. In addition, BFL EcoCompost, by the nature of its activities, prevents the development of anaerobic conditions.
Compost traditionally relies upon the presence of micro-organisms in the materials added to carry out the degradation process and also colonization by micro-organisms present in the surrounding environment. This can result in composting getting off to a very slow start. By using BFL EcoCompost, this initial phase can be accelerated and good quality compost can be available within a matter of weeks.
Product safetyThe micro-organisms in BFL EcoCompost have been isolated from natural environments. They have not been genetically modified. These micro-organisms have been classified as harmless to humans, animals and plants. The product is subjected to independent testing to ensure that it is free of Salmonella and other contaminants.
For further information on this product, please contact:Technical Department BioFuture Ltd. 62C Heather Road Sandyford Industrial Estate Foxrock Dublin 18, Ireland. Tel.: + 353 1 2149749 Fax: + 353 1 2149767 E-mail: info@biofuture.ie
