Planetous Guide to Composting
Aerobic composting
Aerobic composting is decomposition of organic matter using in the presence of air. That means the microorganisms involved in the process require oxygen to thrive and therefore aeration is required. The microbes responsible for composting are naturally occurring and live in the moisture surrounding organic matter. Oxygen from the air diffuses in to the moisture and is taken up by the microbes. As aerobic digestion takes it releases heat, water and gases such as CO2.
The heat produced in aerobic composting is sufficient to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens as these organisms are not adapted to these environmental conditions. It also helps support the growth of beneficial bacteria species which thrive at the higher temperature levels.
Aerobic Composting at Home
Simple method to start with is to keep a pot at your home and punch some holes in its sides for promoting airflow. Each time you dump Kitchen scraps in it, layer it with some browns such as dried leaves, saw dust , coco peat etc. This keeps the stink at bay and helps in absorbing moisture and keeping the pile aerated. Cover it with a lid. You can use a plate to cover. Keep at least two such pots in your balcony, so that while one is getting layered with fresh scraps the other one is getting cooked up. Keep turning the resting pot in a few days, or at least in a week. As a rule of thumb we recommend two pots for a couple and one extra pot for every two adults being added. We have kept two 14” earthen pots at our home and they easily digest all our wet waste.
Benefits
The heat produced in aerobic composting is sufficient to kill harmful bacteria and pathogens as these organisms are not adapted to these environmental conditions. It also helps support the growth of beneficial bacteria species which thrive at the higher temperature levels.
From start to finish, the HotRot in-vessel aerobic composting process takes only 8-10 days. No leachate is produced as any surplus moisture is evaporated. Aerobic composting is one simplest method of composting for which nothing fancy is required. However is can be a bit tricky to get all your wet waste decomposed if your apartment size is too small as compared to the waste generated.
Methods
Houses with backyard need nothing to start with except a couple of square feets of land to spare. Start piling layers of greens and browns in the marked area. You can temporarily fence the area with wooden planks to keep the critters out. People living in flats or floor with open balconies can keep a Barrel or a bin and follow the process suggested above. For People with closed congested balconies pots can be placed one over the other saving space and keeping the stink out at the same time.Aerobic composting
Aerobic composting is decomposition of organic matter using in the presence of air. That means the microorganisms involved in the process require oxygen to thrive and therefore aeration is required. The microbes responsible for composting are naturally occurring and live in the moisture surrounding organic matter. Oxygen from the air diffuses in to the moisture and is taken up by the microbes. As aerobic digestion takes it releases heat, water and gases such as CO2.
Compost Guide References:
1. Barbara Pleasant , Deborah L Martin, 2008; The complete compost gardening guide,Storey Publishing; Illustrated edition.
2.