COMPOSTING

ZERO WASTE CHALLENGE:COLD-WEATHER

3 Winter SystemsHot compost: • Hot composting is an intensive process. Collect

composting materials in piles until enough is stored to build a compost heap all at once. Carefully layer green and brown materials into the heap, ensuring that the right mix of materials is used and that there's plenty of air built into the heap. Once the heap is built, microbial activity causes the compost to heat up - that will still happen in winter. Adding some insulation to your compost bin will help to keep the heat in and your hot heap composting rapidly.

Cold compost:• Add materials to the compost bin as and when

you have them. In the average household, the mix of garden waste and kitchen waste, plus some waste paper and cardboard, means that the mix of materials in the heap is right. Shredded newspaper and/or brown paper, plus any twiggy bits from food ensures the right balance. Make sure there's enough air in the heap. It won't heat up though, and the compost takes longer to rot down - especially in winter. For the best results, site your compost bin where it will catch any winter sun.

Indoor Compost: • Consider vermiculture, or worm composting. 1

pound of worms will eat 7 pounds of food waste a week and do not smell.

• Commercially available indoor composting units claim to be completely odour free while still being effective.

Winter Considerations

For more info call Chris 635 1400 or zerowaste@rdks.bc.ca

COMPOSTING

ZERO WASTE CHALLENGE:BUILD YOUR OWN

3 Simple SystemsLocation:• Convenience is key - if your compost is too

hard to get to due to snow or distance it will under utilized.

• Locate your system in a sunny spot to assist decomposition.

Cost:• Free materials are abundant.• Rough cut lumber and ends from local mills

can be less expensive.Usage:• Determine what you want to compost and how

much waste you will produce.• Yard waste only - use a wire mesh system.• Food waste only - use a transformed plastic

bin or garbage can.• Both - use a wooden bin or...whatever works!Materials:• Old shipping palettes work very well.• A compost for leaves only can be easily made

out of chicken wire.• A compost for kitchen scraps can be easily

made from an old garbage pail or rubbermaid bin.

• For wooden bins use cedar when possible as it resists rot.

Aesthetics:• Be artistic or position your unit out of sight.• This could be a reason to purchase a

commercial unit.Plans:• Visit the RDKS.bc.ca website for free building

plans.

6 Considerations

COMPOST When making your

compost, you shoulduse equal amounts of

brown and green materials. Alternate

between adding browns and greens.

Kitchen Scraps Vegetable peelings and rotten fruit.

Plant Trimmings from your garden

Leaves, old flowers, end of season greenery.

Grass Clippings/Fresh

Best used as mulch on your lawn, not from lawns treated with pesticides.

Pet Manure Use only from grass eaters such as rabbits, guinea pigs, sheep, horses and cows.

Large leafy weeds Not once in seed and only when still green. Avoid invasive weeds like morning glory.

Rhubarb leaves Safe for composting. Note: contain a natural chemical making leaves poisonous to eat in large amounts.

Vegetables and fruit

Cut into thumb size pieces for faster composting.

Green Materials (nitrogen-rich)

Leaves Save leaves from the fall in a dry bin.

Newsprints Shred.

Cardboard Cut some into small pieces to compost. Recycle larger pieces.

Corn cobs, corn stalks Break or chop into pieces.

Brown paper bags Shred.

Grass clippings (Dry) Good.

Straw Excellent carbon source. Can be used in place of leaves.

Paper towels and napkins

Good.

Brown Materials (carbon-rich)

COMPOST A backyard compost bin

can take from 6-12 months to compost

completely. Your compost is finished when:

• Material is dark and crumbly,

• There is little sign of food scraps,

• Has an earthy smell.

Grease, cooked food including rice, pasta, oils

Attracts rodents and pests. Composts very slowly. Can cause odour problems.

Fish, meat, bones

Attracts animals and can cause odour problems.

Dog or cat feces Meat eating animals can carry disease.

Kitty litter May contain chemicals and disease organisms.

Barbeque ash, coal

Contains chemicals.

SYMPTOM DIAGNOSIS TREATMENT

Bin has bad odour.

Not enough air; pile is too wet.

Turn pile. Add coarse dry material such as straw.

Pile is dry throughout.

Not enough water. Too much woody material.

Turn and moisten. Add fresh waste. Cover pile to reduce evaporation.

Compost is dam and warm only in the middle.

Not enough material in the bin.

Collect more material and mix.

Material is damp and sweet-smelling, but not heating up.

Lack of nitrogens. Mix in a nitrogen rich(green) material such as fresh grass clippings or manure.

Pests around bin (dogs, rodents, insects).

Improper food trimmings added or materials not covered well enough.

Do not add meat, fats, bones, or animal waste. Use a rodent resistant compost bin.

Flies at compost bin.

Food scraps not covered. Not enough brown material.

Put fruit and veggie scraps in centre of bin. Cover with soil or brown material.

Fruit flies in kitchen.

Food scraps are attracting fruit flies.

Keep collection pail sealed or in the refrigerator or freezer.

Unacceptable materials

Compost Problems? Most common problems will be solved by adding brown materials, which will balance moisture, eliminate odour, and discourage flies.