Composting Workshop

One Simple Act

In Alberta, what material makes up the majority of household waste?

A: Organics/Yard Waste

B: Beverage Containers

C: Paper

Residential Waste Disposal (2002) (Source: NRCAN 2006)

Organics, 49%

Renovation, 2%

Hazardous Waste, 11%

Other, 12%

Paper, 21%

Glass, 3%

Metal, 2%

Plastics, 10%

The average Albertan

disposes 289 kg of residential waste every year

Composting

Recycling organic materials

Images courtesy Dr. Riley Kinman, University of Cincinnati

What happens to organics at a landfill site?

Greens BrownsWater

Soil

5 cm of twigs

5-10 cm dried browns

Wet the pile

5-10 cm Greens

Shovel of soil

Repeat until no more material

BUILD YOUR OWN COMPOST BIN

www.edmonton.ca/waste “Composting Bins You Can Build”

Mix often to speed the process “The more effort you put in the more compost you’ll get out”

Continue Layering

Add moisture as needed

Save your browns!

When is my compost ready to use?

Uses

Mulch

Compost Tea

Add to potted plants

Add to garden soil or spread around trees

Nutrient rich soil enhancer

Holds moistureSaves money

Symptom Problem SolutionSmells like eggs Too much moisture Add dry ingredients

Too compact not enough air

Mix often

Smells like ammonia Too much Nitrogen (green) Add more browns (carbon) and mix

Process is slow (compost can take anywhere from

3-12mths)

Not enough surface area Shred or break organics in to smaller pieces (less than 20-25cm)

Critters are interested in my compost

Wrong material has been added

Don’t add any grains, cooked meat or bones

Organic are exposed Make sure food is covered with soil or a layer of brown

Winter is coming – Process has slowed or

stopped

Temperature is too cold Continue to add to your compost bin. If bin is full start a new bin or store materials. Process will begin again in the spring.

Vermicomposting Grasscycling

If a worm is cut in half both parts will grow back.

Worms have teeth.

Worms cannot see.

Worms have blood.

Compost year roundCastings make an excellent soil conditioner

Limited space

Educational experience

Diverts waste from the landfill

The Container

The Bedding

The WormsEisentia fetida

“You have too many worms when more than one-fifth of your bin is worms”

Build a Vermicompost Bin

Regularly In Moderation

Weekly

Mark areaMonitor

Cover

Migration Method

Cone Method

Easy Method

“My compost smells awful!”

“I have a fruit fly infestation”

“My pile is sopping wet!”

“I have moldy food in my vermicompost bin”

Questions/Comments?

www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca