Composting
Alasdair Meldrum
What is composting? Composting is a natural process which can
mean different things to different people. The term
‘composting’ is used to describe a wide range of activities,
from a heap of manure at the bottom of a garden to
sophisticated treatment processes for commercial wastes and is
designed to reduce the quantity of organic waste sent to
landfills.
Community composting sites tend to be relatively small. A
typical site may process up to 200 tons of material a year.
Commercial sites, where composting is specifically a business
activity, or local authority sites set up to divert
biodegradable material from landfill are much larger. With some
of the larger sites processing tens of thousands of tons each
year, materials handling equipment and systems become a
necessity.
The purity of the product is very important and is graded
according to its organic purity. Glass is the main product that
needs to be eliminated to produce a compost that is pure enough
for sale. This has caused a few problems with some main
commercial composting facilities therefore rendering the
compost to be used for capping material until a solution can be
found.
But put simply, the microbes break down large molecules into
smaller ones that they can use as food. This releases heat
energy, water and carbon dioxide during the breakdown as
by-products and it is this heat that causes the temperature to
rise, which is why compost heaps are often warm and steamy.
Here are 5 reasons why everyone should consider composting:
1. Composting reduces the environmental impact of having to
incinerate organic waste.
2. Organic material can form up to 1/3 of our weekly waste.
Without composting, this goes straight to landfill. Composting
minimizes our landfill waste and recycles it back into our
gardens.
3. Organic waste which is dumped in landfill rather than
composted stagnates and produces methane and toxic run-off
which contaminates soil and groundwater.
4. Composting can successfully be carried out at any level,
from multi-acre commercial or municipal windrows to simple
backyard bins.
5. Composting is fun, easy and very satisfying.
Composting is a fun and environmentally-friendly activity. It's
something anyone can do to make a positive contribution to
helping the environment.
Albion Environmental Ltd can advise if you have any composting
problems. We have experience in helping our clients achieving
PAS100:2005 status.
About The Author: Alasdair Meldrum is founder and director of
Albion Environmental Ltd. Specializing in providing training
and consultancy services to to waste management and environment
industry across the UK.
http://www.albion-environmental.co.uk
See Also:
All About Organic Gardening
Index of Gardens & Gardening
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