Discover exactly how simple it is to beat the composting learning curve by reading “Composting for Dummies”.

Whether you are an eager gardener or wish to cut back the amount of materials you send to the rubbish heap, Composting For Dummies shows you the correct way to turn household food waste, yard clippings, and more into free, nutrient-laden compost and mulch.

From building and working with standard composting bins to beginning an inside worm-composting operation, Composting For Dummies makes these frequently menacing projects simple, fun, and accessible.

Composting for your eco-friendly gardening is the best way to help supplement the soil wishes for your garden. Compost helps the soil by adding nutrient elements and improves the growing of plants by serving the soil to remain penetrable and hold moisture and minerals in.

“Composting for Dummies” – Simply the Best Way to Learn Composting Skills

Any person can create their own compost pile or bin, regardless of if they live in a loft. Dependent on where you reside, will make a decision on what kind of composting one will do. If you happen to have a yard the choice is whether to make a pile or to utilise a bin. If you should choose to go with a bin, it’s a good idea to place it on flat ground which has good drainage with the soil exposed below it so that worms and microbes can enter the bin. Composting for Dummies may also include suggestions for using your finished compost to give your plants, veggies, and flowers a lift.

- 2 hundred pages. Composting also transforms food scraps and other natural waste into a nutrient-dense humus material generally used for mulching, fertilizing and amending soil.

Just as critical, composting promotes a rather more earth-friendly way of life by minimising the quantity of waste your house adds to landfills. Being conversant with the varied ways of composting lets you choose the composting methodology that works best for your private wishes and way of life.

Compost heaps are where your composting will happen, and they’re specifically designed and inclined mounds of damp biological byproducts , for example dead leaves and grass clippings, that you create in a selected location.

What you will get from buying “Composting for Dummies”

You will get expert tips and beneficial information on which materials to compost ( and materials to avoid ), whether to turn or not to turn your pile, the right way to achieve the correct balance of materials in your pile, and more!

• Building plans for a selection of composting cans
• The way to make and maintain a compost pile
• Recent container trends With the useful steerage of Composting For Dummies, you can discover a back-to-basics ability that will be advantageous to the earth and your wallet!
• Plus much more…

There’s a further advantage which comes from the indisputable fact that composting is a good way to help supplement the soil needs for your garden.  Composting for Dummies canincludes suggestions for using your finished compost and how to give your plants, veg, and flowers a lift.

So how do you get hold of a copy at a good cheap price? We suggest that you try out our continually updated “Deal Price Comparison” list below:

Composting for Dummies Composting for Dummies Cromell, Cathy;National Gardening Association 9780470581612 09780470581612 ... read more

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A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

That commercial food waste composting can be a viable and indeed profitable stand-alone business, with big-demand for its high quality compost products is shown by this inspiring example. At present, due to permitting constraints all the Food Waste accepted is pre-consumer waste. That means waste food which due to overstocking or production difficulties is wasted before it is sold. In terms of the available market for commercial food waste composting , there is a huge untapped quantity of food waste thrown away by households and catering establishments.

This fact has not escaped the company, which is now engaged on gaining a permit for post-consumer food waste reception and processing at their commercial food waste composting plant. There are so many reasons why this is good. here are just a few:

• waste is diverted away from landfill where food waste is the most highly potentially polluting substance nowadays to be found in both commercial and household waste
• by not sending it to landfill the rate of generation of methane from the landfill reduces. As a proportion of that will escape into the atmosphere accentuating climate change, that is good news for our environment
• the compost produced is very good for improving the soil and provides phosphate which is otherwise a finite resource and about 50% of all the earth’s known reserves of phoshor are to be found in Morocco. Please note that we depend on supplies from a country which may yet find problems as the “Arab Spring” spreads.

New Jersey Composter Taps Food Waste Opportunities

BioCycle magazine

Ag Choice, currently the only commercial food waste and livestock manure composter in New Jersey, has been operating under a Class C Research, Development & Demonstration (RD&D) permit issued by the NJDEP. It is permitted to receive 20500 cy/year of …

In addition, here is another example of food waste composting (post-consumer):

“Compost Happens” at the cafeteria

Sonoma State Star

There are several composting methods available for commercialized food waste management at other universities, but SSU is amongst the few involved in comprehensive commercial compost pilot project. This means the food scrap waste at Zinfandel Dining …

by jbloom under CC BY  with wpseopix.com

Post consumer food waste is the next big challenge for this trailblazing company

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In the paragraphs which follow we have included just part of this in-depth report on a highly successful New Jersey food waste composting facility which appears to be thriving without government grants and hand-outs:

AG Choice Organics Recycling in Sussex County, New Jersey, grew out of a sawmill business that Jay Fischer started with his parents back in 1997. The Fischers had been selling sawdust to area horse farms for bedding and noticed many had an issue with stockpiled manure (an average horse can produce 9 tons a year). “We don’t have a lot of large farms around here,” explains Jay Fischer. “They are mostly smaller farmettes with two or three horses — and they don’t have the acreage to land apply the manure.” So the Fischers began hauling it back to their facility to compost — their first foray into organics recycling.

In 2005, Jay and his wife, Jill, incorporated Ag Choice as a full-fledged business and soon started taking in food waste from four ShopRite grocery stores, providing them with sealed 15 cubic yard (cy) lockable roll-off containers and utilizing their own trucks for hauling. Feedstock sources now include six ShopRites, two Costcos, the New Jersey Food Bank, a wholesale fruit and vegetable distributor, the occasional tractor trailer load full of spoiled bananas or sweet potatoes, and industrial organics from manufacturers arriving in packaging or containers ranging from individual packets to 55-gallon drums.

Today both of Jay Fischer’s parents have passed away and the sawmill is closed, but business at Ag Choice continues to grow. More employees have been added and the quantity of food waste coming in has been increasing. “And we’ve been able to sell every ounce of compost and topsoil that we make,” says Jay Fischer. Clients for bulk and bagged compost include garden centers, landscapers, homeowners, townships and schools districts (for application on athletic fields).

Situated near the heart of food-flavoring producers, Ag Choice takes in a variety of interesting and diverse feedstocks from that industry. On the clear and crisp December day BioCycle visited the facility, a crimson mountain of carbon-rich herb bark towering 10-feet high was waiting to be incorporated into windrows along with wet, nitrogen-rich food scraps. “We have some of the largest flavoring manufacturers in the world, doing various extractions from leaves, herbs, nuts, twigs and all kinds of things you wouldn’t even imagine,” says Fischer. “We collect the fleshy part that’s left over from that extraction process as well as various types of paper filters, and we use those as feedstocks in our composting operation.” “Flavor” feedstocks routinely include herb and cassia (cinnamon) bark, coffee beans, cocoa nibs, various syrups and purees and soy by-products. These are added to ground wood waste, municipal leaves, corn silage, dairy and horse manure (that typically includes a high percentage of carbon-rich bedding materials) and preconsumer food waste. Ag Choice also recycles a significant amount of bakery waste directly into animal feed (see box p. 30).

A key to Ag Choice’s success is the level of control exercised at the site, says Fischer. “We’re very selective about the materials we take in, the quantity we receive and the contamination levels that we can handle.” With a target starting carbon-to-nitrogen ratio of 30:1, the facility must bring in far more carbonaceous materials than it does feedstocks rich in nitrogen. “Our food waste is only a third of what we receive,” adds Fischer. “We handle a fairly large volume of municipal leaves as well.” Ag Choice does not accept grass clippings or brush as a precaution to importing pesticides or herbicides, which could jeopardize its compost’s approval for organic production.

For most of the grocery and food service outlets it serves, Ag Choice continues to provide bins and collects with its own trucks. “We also allow other haulers to bring materials,” says Jill Fischer, adding that the company’s tipping fee ranges from between 35 to 50 percent less than those charged by area landfills. Tipping fees can vary based on several factors including the type of material being processed as well as the amount of depackaging necessary.

You are welcome to comment in the form below, especially if you know of this company.

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A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Ever admired those weed-free, fantastically manicured gardens that look as if they’re covered in a layer of woodchips? Here is a small gardening secret-that layer that adds a professional-looking, final touch to flowerbeds is named mulch. And as much as it boosts the wonderful thing about a garden, mulch improves the fitness of the soil and lightens your gardening chores, too. These are some of the advantages, and a DIY guide, to mulch. Mulches help maintain a uniform soil temperature.

They act as insulators, keeping the soil hotter during cool weather and cooler in the warm months of the year. Mulching is among the most crucial paths to maintain healthy landscape plants. A mulch is any material applied to the soil surface for protection or improvement of the area covered. Mulching is actually nature’s idea. Nature produces big quantities of mulch all of the time with fallen leaves, needles, twigs, pieces of bark, spent flower blossoms, fallen fruit and other organic material. Organic mulches can improve the soil structure.

As the mulch rots, the material becomes topsoil. Decomposing mulch also adds nutrient elements to the soil. Beds and borders can instantly dry out or be taken over by weeds. Employing a layer of mulch across the soil surface can stop this. Follow our guide to mulching, a crucial garden method. Mulching has numerous benefits. It can offer nutrient elements for plants, lock in moisture, form an obstacle against weeds and may help to insulate the roots of exposed plants from winter cold. Mulches may also be utilized for decorating the tops of pots. Organic mulches steadily break down and become part of the soil structure, improving its tilth ( the state of cultivated soil ), so that roots are better prepared to take in nutrient elements and moisture from the ground. And, dependent on the kind of mulch you use, it also improves the soil with minerals and other necessary plant food elements. There are 2 sorts of mulches, organic and inorganic.

Organic mulches include wood and bark chips, straw, grass clippings and seed hulls. Inorganic or inactive mulches include weed-barrier fabrics, gravel and rock. The best mulch doesn’t compact swiftly.

It doesn’t impede water and air movement into the soil, it’s not a fire jeopardy, and it breaks down slowly. Additionally, the perfect mulch is uniform in colour, weed-free, enticing and doesn’t blow away. Cover garden beds with a layer of mulch to keep weeds down and reduce the requirement for water. Yearly weed seeds are less certain to sprout when the soil is covered with enough mulch to keep the soil surface in the dark. Research by the Weyerhaeuser Company . ( 1969. Pointed to the fact that 2 inches of bark : 1. Reduced moisture loss in summer by twenty-one %, 2. Reduced soil temperature in summer, in the higher 4 inches of soil, by ten degrees F and, 3. Delayed soil temperature in winter from reaching the freezing temperature by a couple of days compared against unmulched soil. Naturally, that was for the plots utilized in their study work, and you may not see identical results. Nonetheless , I believe you will agree the benefits are clear. The employment of mulches in gardening should be standard practice. Analysts from many rural experiment stations, non-public industry, and the U.S. Office of farming have shown striking benefits from mulch applications. A few of these benefits are mentioned below. Organic mulches, extracted from plant material, will rot in time and improve and improve the soil.

by skvidal under CC BY-SA  with wpseopix.com

Mulch used in a garden

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This ends in increased aeration of silt or clay loam soils and added water-holding capacity of sandy loam soils. Mulching improves and stabilises soil structure ( arrangement of soil particles ) by reducing the impact of rain, weight ( folks walking on the soil ) and cultivation of soils, particularly when wet. In brief compaction of the soil is reduced. Mulch provides 1 or 2 advantages to the garden. Fortunately, adding mulch is among the simplest gardening jobs you can do. The question isn’t whether you ought to use it or not. Your answer to that should be a convincing ; “Yes!” The sole query is, which kind of mulch should you select, and how should you use it. A pleasant, thick layer of mulch restrains weeds in 2 vital ways.

First, by comprehensively covering the soil and depriving weed seeds of the light they have to sprout, mulch stops them from gaining a foothold to start with. Second , bare mud is the ideal place for weed seeds to land and sprout.

By covering your bare soil with mulch, most weeds will never be in a position to make contact with the soil.

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A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

What is the differernce between Degradable, Bio-degradable , and Compostable?

Novamont’s Tony Breton posed a query that has been begging to get asked for those waste product control pros who work in the sector, in the CIWM mag, back in 2008. That question was ; “Does degradable mean bio-degradable, or compostable, or something else entirely?” He then provided a break-down of the numerous terminologies, which we may relay to you here : It’s a fact that new green lingo appear to keep appearing and the terms “biodegradable”, “degradable” and “compostable” are now often used, especially when the media debates packing or carrier bags. Given their frequent use, one could think that their meaning is the same, but this is a long way from the facts.

Each term has a definite meaning and, when it comes down to waste product management – and particularly biowaste management – exact use and experience of these meanings become mandatory. Without them the gurus would find it tough to elucidate how they work out what the best system of recovery is. So what exactly do these terms mean and how do you know which materials are OK for your systems and processes? Read on and we are going to do our best to elucidate :

Biodegradable

On Its Own the term biodegradable means nothing as, in the final analysis everything made of organic materials is biodegradable. There are not any time limits or factors which outline biodegradable, so it is merely a general all including term.

Conditional on what they are made of, and the thickness of the material, some products will biodegrade quickly while others will take decades to wholly biodegrade. when discussing whether a product is biodegradable, it’s vital to make a point of saying the specific environment in which biodegradation is supposed to occur.

These include composting, anaerobic digestion, soil, sea or freshwater environments. The important world and ECU Union standards do make such references, and are geared to explicit biodegradation environments ( as an example composting and anaerobic digestion ), and set maximum timescales in which the material must adequately biodegrade.

Degradable

Degradable materials which are often inside this class are the materials which come from a narrow range materials, which are employed in plastic carrier bag turn out. These are based often on polyethylene or polypropylene with a metal-based addition and, in a doubtful period of time. They can fragment to smaller particles when exposed to heat or ultraviolet light, but are usually slow to biodegrade relative to “compostable” plastics based completely on other materials like starch. They may degrade comparatively slowly in the airless and permanently dark conditions within a dump. They don’t compost well inside a compost pile either, for some of the same reasons.

Degradable plastic is hydrophobic and may attract other hydrophobic particles – including pesticides and heavy metals – which can finish up in the bio-accumulation of damaging substances. Up to this time ( 2008 ), no degradable plastic has achieved authentication as “compostable” according to European standard EN 13432. Thus we realize that these materials are not satisfactory for inclusion in composting processes.

They also are unsuitable to recycling as the additions will remain in the recyclate making it unbalanced. Contamination from degradables has led directly to leading recycling companies, find that their loads containing degradable materials, are refused at re-processing plants and many composters have indicated fears about long-term recyclate equilibrium. WRAP has articulated that due to issues over recyclability and degradable materials not meeting EN13432, degradables are not OK for first packing use, in The United Kingdom.

by http://www.kvins.com under CC BY  with wpseopix.com

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Compostable

These are those materials that biodegrade by the action of natural micro-organisms and do so to a high extent within a timescale that has been stated in the quality compost customs. These materials can be securely composted together with the organic fragment of civic solid waste to deliver compost products.

Compostable plastics are dissimilar from degradable ones, as they do not hamper the composting process because they are biodegradable, disintegrable and do not affect the standard of the final compost. Endorsement of the EU standard EN 13432 means that all these prerequisites are satisfied when materials are compostable. We are hoping this has helped you in understand the meaning of the terms “biodegradable”, “degradable” and “compostable”, and how their use should be undertaken by writers with care, as they’re suggestive of quite serious variations in the materials to which they apply.

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Apple cores
Bananas, bruised
Coffee grounds with filters, used
Just add to the pot
and let it all rot
into Compost Stew!
 
 
From eggshells to wiggly worms, this delightful recipe in bouncy verse features items—some familiar and some not so—that are fit for the home compost bin and will nourish Mother Earth. Vibrant collage illustrations use recycled and found materials to further a timely message. And to keep young environmental chefs fully informed about compostingdo’s and don’ts, there’s a note in the back about what’s not fit for the bin.

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Compost Thermometer Hot Composting Accuracy Heat plays an important role in the composting process and for that reason a compost thermometer is crucial. This thermometer will ensure that the proper temperature is obtained and maintained. The waterproof polycarbonate enclosure, with its appropriate temperature scale, as well as the stainless steel measuring probe are perfectly suited for the monitoring of compost temperatures. Length 20" Long ", 1/4" Pointed Tip Dial is 1 2/3" Diameter Dial Case is Hermetically Sealed Measuring Range 0 to 200 Degrees Fahrenheit Full One year Warranty Ships Quickly!

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Why spend money on expensive fertilizers when you can create your own composting and reduce landfill waste as well? With a Lifetime Composter you can easily reduce, reuse, and recycle kitchen and garden waste into a rich organic soil conditioner. Compost helps retain the moisture in your soil and adds rich nutrients for healthy plants. The Lifetime Composter is designed with black, double-walled panels to absorb and retain the heat that decomposes the material. An internal bar mixes the compost and allows the flow of oxygen that is necessary to break down the material into a rich, black organic fertilizer for your garden. The lightweight 75 gallon tumbler easily turns on its axis for balanced rotation—saving you the time and effort of turning a compost heap with a pitchfork! You’ll also appreciate the extra large removable lid for easy filling and dumping.

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Discreetly store your food scraps on your countertop with this mini compost pail by RSVP. The 18/8 polished stainless steel construction is attractive and conceals the contents, while disguising and controlling odor with the two charcoal filters contained in the lid. The sturdy, heavy bail handle also makes it easy to transport your scraps to your garden compost heap. Compost produces humus which is rich in organic ingredients and greatly benefits vegetables, flowers and fruits. After removing the two filters, the pail can be placed in the dishwasher for cleaning.

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Compost Aerator Decomposition Aide

by wisemandarine under CC BY-SA  with wpseopix.com

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The decomposition occurring in the compost pile takes up all the available oxygen. Aeration is the replacement of oxygen to the center of the compost pile where it is lacking. Efficient decomposition can only occur if sufficient oxygen is present. Turning the compost pile is an effective means of adding oxygen and brings newly added material into contact with microbes.

• Unique design Helps aerate and circulate compost
• Extra durable, all steel construction Mixes compost without the use of a shovel
• Folding wings harpoon into the heart of the compost pile Ships Quickly!

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A post from: Home and Commercial Composting

Norpro's Stainless Steel Composter Keeper. Conveniently store food scraps in this odor eliminating container before transferring food to an outside composter. Attractive stainless steel finish. Includes a dual odor preventing filter set in the tight fitting lid. The filter set should keep your compost keeper odor free for up to 6 months. Use replacement filter 94F.

A post from: Home and Commercial Composting