On the QT | The Official Newsletter of GWA February-March 2016 | Page 17

BEYOND THE BIN

Homeowners need to hear about the compost-
ing possibilities beyond traditional plastic bins.
Turning units increase aeration, giving more
oxygen to the aerobic bacteria and ideally
making finished compost in two months or less
during the summer, much faster than the six to
12 months of holding units. Higher temperatures
in turning units will kill more weed seeds, diseases and insect larvae. But the units must be turned
or mixed every seven to 10 days, cost more, have
a smaller capacity and need extra preparation of
the materials.
For small amounts, sheet composting entails
rototilling a thin layer of organic material into the
soil. It is best done in the fall, can work around
existing perennials and requires neither a pile
nor a bin. It works best with herbaceous material
(grass, leaves, garden debris, vegetable and fruit
food scraps) that has been shredded first. Nitrogen in the soil will break down any
carbon-based compost. Don’t suggest more than a 2- to 4-inch layer.

Shredding and chipping garden
refuse with three-bin composting on Alcatraz Island.

When asked about acceptance of the program,
“the biggest challenge is to get over the smell
and yuck factor,” Short said. At first, many
people didn’t want to separate their organics.
Short and his staff spent much of the first three
months explaining the environmental benefits
of collecting compost, instead of sending it to
the landfill. Some people complained that the
program diverted their own organic
waste, but they came on board after
learning they could compost meat
and bones, which are workable in a
large-scale commercial operation,
and could get finished compost
each spring.

“ the biggest
challenge
is to get over
the smell and
yuck factor,”

There were some challenges. Plastic
bags were thrown in with the compost; the Public Works Department
now works with grocery stores to
sell cornstarch-based compostable
bags. Food scraps in the summer
created odors, and attracted flies
and maggots. To prevent the spread
— Doug Short
of emerald ash borer, a destructive
insect, all woody material must be
Larger quantities can be comcollected separately and ground
posted using the heap/passive
to 1-inch in size before it can move outside the
windrow method, where piles of material, 3 to 5
county to be used as mulch.
feet wide and 3 feet tall, are left to decompose.
The most active composting programs are in
Material can be added as it’s generated and the
Colorado, California, Washington, Iowa and
windrow can be built to any length. Larger piles
Michigan. The Canadian provinces with the most
will function longer into the winter. Turning, by
composting programs are British Columbia, New
hand or tractor, is optional, but will hasten the
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Saskatchewan
process. Windrow composting works more effiand the Northwest Territories.
ciently with multiple piles at different stages and
can produce finished compost within six months
The growth of regional composting programs
to two years. If