composting is a great way to get rid of organic waste and support local businesses. Many cities have seen benefits from composting and farmers have seen increases in crop quality and yield as well. Despite all these benefits, there are some issues that can happen, especially if the composting process has not been done correctly.
Signs your compost isn’t working.
Before you can know something is wrong, you need to know how to tell when your compost just isn’t working. Common signs include materials slowly breaking down, a bad odor, brown leaves not breaking down, no insects or worms are in the pile, and the compost catches fire. Yes, this last scenario can happen!
1. Contaminants invade:
There are many contaminants that can get into your compost during any step of the process. Pesticides and herbicides like Clopyralid can enter the compost from the start if the materials used contain them. Persistent toxins can make up a large percentage of composting materials too. Bacteria, heavy metals, and other chemicals besides pesticides can also be present in compost. A mixture that has these components can cause compost piles to fail and crops to die. This is why using organic waste that has not been exposed to toxins is so important. Commercial composting facilities should be careful to use only the best and most natural materials possible. Toxins that may surprise you The sources of the toxins listed above aren’t surprising, but the environment is full of other contaminants that can enter compost. For example, leaves that have been included in organic compost could have been gathered from city roads. This means they might have vehicle fluids like oil. Pet waste can also be a problem because it can hold pathogens that are only mitigated by the highest temperatures possible in compost heaps. Well-intentioned green composting organizations can sometimes take non-organic materials like asbestos and or petroleum without even knowing it.
2. Issues with the composting process:
When it comes to commercial composting, contaminants aren’t the only problem to watch out for. This product is sensitive, especially the acid-alkaline content of the mixture. If a compost pile is comprised of too much animal waste, it cannot age properly. Compost that holds little nutritional value is yet another issue. Nitrogen and carbon content Compost windrows need nitrogen, but too much and they start to rot! Everything that goes into the mixture has nitrogen, so that is good. But, without the right amount of carbon, your piles will start to smell like sulfur and nothing will actually compost. The solution is to add in items that have a high carbon content, like twigs, dead leaves, paper, and sawdust. That being said, you can also have too much carbon in your compost, which will cause it to be dry and dormant. To prevent this from happening, add in some more nitrogen-rich items like green grass clippings or scraps of vegetables.
3. Adding the wrong ingredients:
Part of the commercial composting process is making sure you are adding the right things into the mixture and leaving the wrong things out. We listed some of the ingredients you can use for nitrogen or carbon, but here are some others you should include. Eggshells (the shells only) Coffee grounds and filters Hair Old clothing with natural fibers Freezer burned fruits and veggies
4. Not using the right composting method:
This isn’t a problem related to materials, but the methods and tools used. If you have a commercial composting facility, your first step should be to know the size of your windrows. Production will be done on a larger scale than backyard composting, so you won’t be able to put your product in a bin and let it form alone. Long piles known as windrows are efficient for large-scale composting operations, although tall piles can work too. Once you determine the size of the windrows you need, you can begin creating them. Maintaining the compost for the months it will take to have a finished product is also important. You will need to ensure that the acid-alkaline levels are accurate and that the compost gets enough oxygen and moisture. Turning the compost, whether by hand or with a machine, will be a vital step in producing a high-quality product.
Commonly used commercial compost turners include tractor-driven machines and self-propelled windrow turners. Looking for a high-quality commercial compost turner? At SCARAB International, we understand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for commercial composting. We offer a variety of compost turners to suit small, medium, and large-scale operations. Check out our New, Used, Refurbished turners. We can also make custom Products to suit your individual needs. You can reach us at (806) 883-7621 or Send Us an Email for more information.