People are becoming more and more aware of garbage and waste disposal management. We often hope that we could recycle our waste in a more productive way at home rather than sending it away to a land-fill to be burnt or buried. Composting is an easy process that makes a big difference to the recycling and reuse of waste. What can be better than to be able to turn your kitchen garbage into something useful, and most importantly in your own backyard? During my internship at CETDEM (Center for Environment, Technology & Development, Malaysia) I had the opportunity to work with Ms.Tan, an inspiring forerunner for organic farming in Malaysia. Her team at CETDEM has developed a wonderful and easy method of making compost in a plastic garbage bin. Here is how you can do it... Step 1: Find a plastic garbage bin that is not too small. A good size would be 57cm height and radius or bigger. It is important for the bin to be big enough for the composting process to take place effectively. Heat is generated during the process of decomposition which is extremely important. A small bin might not be able to generate the required amount of heat. Step 2: Drill ventilation holes on all sides of the bin as shown on the diagram. Also cut out the entire bottom of the bin. Step 3: Find a good spot for your bin to be placed. If you have a back-yard then it is best to place it directly on soil or land. If you do not have a back-yard, then create a small corner in your terrace or veranda where you can put a layer of soil. Place the bin upside down at this spot. Step 4: Always begin your heap with a 15-20cm layer of dry leaves for aeration and drainage. Step5: Add your cooked and raw kitchen waste (only bio-degradable items: avoid paper) on top of the dry leaves and then cover it with more dry leaves/grass and soil. This helps to keep the flies and odour away and also adds the essential carbon required for decomposition. Step 6: Continue putting your kitchen waste and covering it until the bin is full. If your waste is wet them you most probably will not require to create moisture for the compost. However if you feel the waste is too dry and no decomposition is taking place, add some water. However, it has to be only moist and not wet. Otherwise your garbage will rot. Step 7: Once the bin is full do not add any more waste to it. Now you need to turn or mix your compost. This is very easy. Just lift the entire garbage bin which has been upside down, and put it to the side. Using hand gloves, transfer the entire waste back into the upside down garbage bin. This simple transfer helps to turn the compost. Step 8: Turn the compost once every 2-3 weeks. At the end of 2 months you will have beautiful compost ready for use. See previous blog post. Step 9: You can use the compost for your plants or store the ready compost in plastic bags and keep it out of the rain. Remember not to add any more garbage to your bin once it is full. As the decomposition occurs, the garbage will shrink. However, if you add new waste to it, it will slow down the process and take a long time to give you the good-looking compost that you need.
So keep it simple!
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