HONOLULU, HAWAII
 
Waste Recycling Equipment, Products, Services, Information and Related Resources

Composting Information

1.      Composting is the process by which organic matter is decomposed in a controlled environment to become compost

2.      The organic matter being decomposed cannot be used in its original state due to various reasons, but is useful when turned into compost.

3.      Compost can be beneficial to the environment by adding organic material to soil, improving soil aeration and drainage, and increasing the amount of nutrients the soil can hold.

4.      Composting saves money that would otherwise be spent on the disposal of the organic waste, while also creating a useful by-product.

5.      Many different materials can be composted, including food wastes, grass clippings, and certain by-products produced by food processing, the paper and wood industries, and chemical production.

6.      Co-composting is a method used in composting where two different products are composted together. This not only accelerates the amount of time it takes for decomposition to occur, but also improves the quality of the compost.  Keeping in mind the carbon to nitrogen ratio in the products you compost will lead you to be able to make higher-quality compost in a shorter amount of time.

7.      Many markets exist for the sale of compost if enough is created.

8.      Windrow composting is the easiest type of composting to implement. The waste is piled in six foot high piles that are about 12 feet wide. The windrow is turned to accelerate the process by aerating the waste.

9.      Aerated static pile composting uses an air plenum, which the compost pile is built on top of. The air flow is controlled mechanically, therefore allowing larger compost piles than you can use with windrow composting. A blower is attached to the system to circulate air throughout the pile.

10.   In-vessel composting is generally the most expensive form of composting. There are many different ways to do in-vessel composting, but all include keeping the composting confined in containers and using certain methods to accelerate the composting process. The reason the costs are so high is because the material to build proper containers is costly and the amount of maintenance and operation needing to be done is very high and requires skilled workers.

11.   The microorganisms in the organic material are what turn the waste into compost. They break down the materials into less biologically active compounds using a process called digestion. Temperature, aeration, and moisture are the three things these microorganisms need to be able to thrive and digest the waste.

12.    The curing period occurs after digestion. The compost decomposes much slower during this phase and it’s very important that curing piles are turned. Otherwise the compost may start to smell bad and compounds may develop in the compost that will harm any plants the compost is used on.