Composting & Vermicomposting

Martin Wafler, seecon international gmbh

Composting & Vermicomposting 1

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Composting & Vermicomposting

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Contents

1. Composting
2. Vermicomposting
3. Applicability
4. Advantages and disadvantages

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Composting

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1. Composting
Why composting?
• about 70 % of municipal waste is normally organic
• organic waste can cause problems of smell, leachate, gas, and stray
animals in landfills
• recycling at source is most economic and environment friendly method
of waste management
• simple methods available
• compost is valuable resource for farmers
• composting at source keeps inorganic waste clean and makes it easier
for recycling

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1. Composting
Concept
• process of decomposition of organic
waste by micro-organism
• natural process (be made faster and
more effective by mixing various types
of waste and adjusting moisture,
temperature and aeration)
• contains NPK and other plant nutrients
including micro-organisms

steps of composting:
• prepaeration (converting waste into
raw material)
• production of compost
• marketing
Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Preparation
• waste collection
• sorting into organic and inorganic
• reduce size if necessary
• adjust moisture content
• starters/additives
• adjust C:N ratio

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
C/N-ratio in various substrates

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Compost preparation
• place prepared waste in piles, windrows, chamber or bins
• turn the compost regularly or arrange other ways to aerate the waste
• regularly monitor temperature & moisture

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Temperature during composting process

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Finishing & Marketing

• screening & packaging

• marketing strategy
◦ product
- quality
- packaging
◦ price
- main distributor
- Consumer
◦ place
- distribution network
◦ promotion
- mass communication
- interpersonal communication
Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Home composting options

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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1. Composting
Composting at community & municipal level

Composting & Vermicomposting 13

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1. Composting
Important points to remember

• separate waste at source. Glass in the waste can

result in injuries

• ensure proper C/N-ratio & chop waste in small pieces

• ensure proper amount of water and air to avoid smell

• prepare and implement proper marketing strategy

(most compost projects fail because of poor
marketing)

• regularly monitor composting process

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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Vermicomposting

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2. Vermicomposting
Concept

Source: http://www.yelmworms.com/_images/vermicomposting.gif

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2. Vermicomposting
How to do at home

• prepare vessel or bin

• add 2 inches (5 cm) of bedding materials
• add worms
• cut waste into small pieces and put in the bin
• keep bin covered with a moist cloth
• put bin away from direct sunlight
• regularly check moisture
• harvest vermicompost every 3 to 4 months
• store harvested compost for 2-3 weeks and then
remove the young worms

Source: adapted from ENPHO

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3. Applicability
Composting & vermicomposting
• at source management of wet organic waste at household, community,
and/or city level

Composting & Vermicomposting 18

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4. Advantages and disadvantages

Composting

Advantages: Disadvantages:
•recycling at source •waste segregation required
•economic and environment
friendly waste management
•simple methods available
•compost is valuable resource for
gardeners/farmers

Vermicomposting

Advantages: Disadvantages:
•see above •maintain proper environmental
conditions for worms
•selling of worms
Composting & Vermicomposting 19
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