ACTIVITY GUIDEBOOK

Project -2:

Organic Material to Compost

Food waste sealed in a plastic bag on a landfillsite doesn't decornpose properly. Instead, it
produces methane, a greenhouse gas, which contributes to global warming, as well as a
liquid, leachate, which can contaminate water
Supplies. But composting your kitchen food waste
is easy and requires little time, effort or space,
depending on which system you use. The compost
is invaluable for the soil in your garden or potted
plants. It's a complete and naturalfood for the soil,
helping to improve its structure, water-retaining
abilities and overall health.

Composting is simply the process of breaking down

the orgaic matter (food waste) in the presence of
air and water, using micro organisms and small
insects present in nature. The end product is called
compost which is rich in readily usable plant
nutrients forming a part of healthy soil.
'Materlats which-canbe used for composting
Vegetable and fruit peels
Tea leaves and coffee grounds
Crushed egg shells
Grass cuttings and leaves
Paper, paper towels and newspaper
Leaves from non-coniferous trees and shrubs
Wood
Straw, hay, wool, sawdust and pets' bedding
Vacuum dust

,
Note: Avoid meat, fish, and cooked food, weed seeds, diseased plant material, disposable
diapers, glossy newsprint and coal ash. Also avoid citrus fruit and onion peelings (which cause
acidic conditions), plant seeds, meat, fish, dairy products, dog and cat droppings, spent tissues,
diseased plant material and anything in excess.

Composting organisms require 4 conditions to create compost

1. Carbon that comes from brown organic matter like dried leaves, sawdust, paper
2. Nitrogen that comes from fruit and vegetable waste
3. Oxygen which comes from air
4. Water in the right amounts

87
 GUIDEBOOK
ACTIVITY

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