The composting process is beautiful, complex, fascinating – and it’s also foolproof. The Earth has been composting organic materials since the very first plants appeared, and it is definitely not going to stop any time soon!

Anybody can turn their common table scraps and yard waste into rich garden nutrients by throwing them in a pile and waiting a few months, but understanding how compost really works will produce faster and higher quality results.

You don’t need to rely on guesswork – learn the composting process so that you can start using it to your advantage today!

The Composting Process from Start to Finish

The process of decomposition begins the moment that you place your organic waste materials on the bare soil at the bottom of your compost bin. Mesophilic microorganisms immediately begin to feed on the carbon and nitrogen contained within the scraps, causing temperatures to rise steadily.

You will need the right balance of carbon (stuff like dried leaves or paper) and nitrogen (veggie scraps, manure, etc) to support the composting process. These will be the major food source for the millions of tiny organisms that turn scraps into useable compost.

A 30:1 ratio of carbon to nitrogen is the most desirable – too much carbon and the pile will dry out, too much nitrogen and the pile will stink.

The initial decomposition phase should only last a few weeks before the pile heats up enough to enter the thermophilic phase – this stage starts when the compost mixture stays steady at 40-60 degrees Celsius. The high temperatures play a critical role in destroying harmful pathogens and unwanted seeds. The thermophilic is the most rapid period of deterioration, and it should last several weeks to six months.

If the temperatures drop below 40 the thermophilic stage will end, so give the pile a good flip to introduce the necessary oxygen or add material to balance out your C:N ratio to keep the heat going.

Composting Process Final Touches

You will know when the all-important thermophilic stage has ended because flipping the pile will no longer result in a temperature spike. Mesophilic microbes take over the process and guide the compost through the slow curing process. These chemical reactions will make the compost more stable and nutritious for future use in the garden.

Do not add any new scraps to the pile during this phase, but keep it moist and continue stirring it for aeration.

You will know when the compost is finished after it has cured for at least eight weeks and contains no recognizable waste particles. The material should be dark and brown, and should crumble in your hands when you pick it up. If your compost fits this description, then congratulations – you have successfully nurtured your scraps through the complex composting process!

Here’s a link to a very complex and complete guide to the science behind the composting process:

http://compost.css.cornell.edu/science.html

Enjoy your free fertilizer!

The benefits of composting toilet systems are easy enough to understand: you can save hundreds of gallons of water while turning toxic human waste into odorless earth-friendly nutrients.

But how does the process work? Composting toilets are an ingenious alternative to energy-intensive waste management strategies, a powerful combination of our ancestor’s knowledge and modern engineering. These toilets are simple – but that’s why they’re so effective!

The Basic Mechanics of Composting Toilet Systems

There are two basic types of composting toilet systems…

central and self-contained.

Central systems are very space efficient – the waste container/compost bin is usually located under the floor or at the side of the home. Bins can come in sizes ranging from single person to family capacity. Waste either drops straight into the composter, or it may be flushed through a pipe with models that use water.

Usually, a handful of special activator (usually carbon-rich organic matter) is dropped into waterless versions instead of flushing. In flushable models, the activator is inserted directly into the storage bin. Once the waste is in the compost compartment, this activator helps to break the solids down using aerobic bacteria that naturally exists in our feces.

Central units are often heated, but usually the heat from the decomposition process is more than enough. Liquids evaporate in the process and are outdoors with the gases and odors through an exhaust pipe, sometimes with the help of an electric fan.

Self-contained systems work the same way, except the entire compost bin and exhaust system are contained within the base of the toilet. These are great for cabins, basements, and other areas that don’t get around-the-clock use. Usually self-contained units use a batch composting process, which requires the bin to be removed and replaced with a fresh one halfway through the composting process.

Everything turns into compost eventually – these toilets just speed up the process. Although human compost is not recommended for use near edible plants, you can still feel free to use these rich nutrients in your flowerbeds or around other decorative plants.

You don’t need to be an environmentalist to appreciate the efficiency and vast economic benefits of composting toilet systems!

The benefits of composting reach far and wide. After all, composting is a green and sustainable process that puts common household waste to good use in your garden or landscaping – what’s not to love?

Besides being a fun, fulfilling, and educational family project, you can count on the numerous environmental and economic benefits that come along with the territory.

Environmental Benefits of Composting

So what is composting and what can it do for you?

All organic material will eventually break down into useable soil, but composting allows you to control the speed and quality of the process. When done correctly, your fruit peels and lawn clippings can become ultra-rich humus that you can use to amend the soil in your garden or around your favorite plantings.

Compost-enhanced soil has better drainage and allows delicate roots to establish a deeper hold – these small benefits really add up when harvest time comes around.

But the benefits of composting don’t stop at the garden – landfills rarely contain enough oxygen to support the decomposition process of organic materials, so table scraps end up sticking around and taking up space for a very long time. However, when you compost these materials, they will go straight back into the earth instead of being loaded up on a gasoline-chugging trash truck.

Economic Benefits of Composting

Sure, you’ll be saving money when it comes to hauling trash – but what are the other economic benefits of composting?

The biggest savings are passed straight on to you: instead of paying for expensive tree debris removal, you can simply chop up the pieces to throw in the compost bin. The same theory applies to grass clippings, old garden woodchips, raked up leaves… These items are difficult to dispose of, which is why the money saved on waste removal is probably the most obvious reason to switch to composting.

If you have a garden, the savings will continue to add up.

Fertilizer and other soil amendments can be costly, especially if you want to go with the high-grade products – compost is a great alternative and can be as rich and nutritious as you want it to be. But compost can also suppress weeds and plant diseases, which may end up saving you hundreds of dollars in produce that would otherwise be lost.

You don’t have to leave home to make a difference in the world; composting is a great first step toward sustainability, and literally anybody can do it!

Who knows – your experiment may even inspire a few neighbors to see the benefits of composting and take up the challenge!

There are hundreds of different home composting systems to try outdoors, but only a few that will work inside. Indoor composting systems are designed for people who don’t have much yard or patio space but still want to enjoy the immense environmental and economic benefits of composting.

But how do you know which indoor composter design is right for you? Check out the three most popular types of home composting systems below to find out!

Classic Composting Buckets

Are you on a budget, but with plenty of food scraps to spare? Composting buckets are a classic design, perfect for casual greenthumbs.

These composters look like regular buckets, except for a few small differences: you put your organic waste inside the bucket, where a small screen helps to separate the solids from the liquids. Liquids are drained through a small spigot at the bottom of the unit – this juice can be used as “compost tea” to nourish your houseplants or garden.

These home composting systems are perfect for the total newbie.

Worm Farm Composters

Worm farms are the most fun you can have with home composting systems – not only are your kitchen scraps being turned into nutritional compost while you sleep, but you’re also feeding a colony of worms while you’re at it!

Scraps are fed into the bottom compartment, and when worms finish that food the next tier is loaded. This stacked design allows worms to move upwards, leaving clean finished compost on the lower levels. These worms can be released into your garden if you decide you don’t want to continue – these living composters are a gift that keeps on giving!

Automatic Home Composting Systems

If you have a big budget and a love for convenience, automatic composting systems just might be for you. These high-tech designs usually do all of the work, from turning the compost to filtering odors and separating liquids from solids.

If you’re new to composting, try to find a design that lets you know when the compost is done – this way you can get a good feel for the finished product. Automatic models with built-in heating systems usually produce the quickest compost.

Are you getting excited?

Composting is a lot of fun, especially when you have a fancy indoor composter to help you out. With any of these convenient designs, making indoor compost can be just as easy as throwing waste into the trashcan! Home composting systems take the hard work out of sustainable living – these handy inventions can help anybody “green” their kitchen waste routine!