Confused on how and with what to start off with composting ?
There are a LOT of posts on the OTG group asking how to start with the composting process and with what. There are quite a number of blogs by experienced folks. So I will not get into the technical part of it. This is a quick and short blog post to help you decide on the factors to be considered for getting started with the composting process.
First of all congratulations to decide to start off with composting and reducing the burden on the garbage crisis that surrounds us.
One factor is to consider which type of composting process to implement for your specific requirement.
- Aerobic - Daily Dump khamba, plastic pot/bucket/drum, DIY
- Anaerobic - Bokashi (products available EcoBin or SmartBin or DIY)
- Vermi Composting (with earthworms)
- Ground
- DIY
Following HAVE to be considered as well ...
- amount of kitchen waste generated per day ?
- want to compost left over cooked food ? vegetarian / non vegetarian ?
- availability of dry matter (carbon). Dry leaves, cardboard, shredded newspaper, left over coffee grounds.
- ease of use ? (in other words laziness levels :) )
- investment factor ? Daily Dump khamba's are in the range of Rs. 1000 - Rs. 2000. EcoBin and SmartBin are around 1500-2500. Plastic blue drum cost around Rs 200-400.
- physical limitations or health constraints to lift, turn and maintain the unit.
- location. kitchen ? balcony ? terrace ?
- stink concerns ?
- are you a DIY kind of person ?
- rodent problems ?
There is NO one right method. EACH method has its own merits and demerits. Read up ! Google up ! Visit someone with an existing composting setup to get a clear practical understanding. Go for the one that suits YOUR personal requirement.
I wanted something with less investment, so I opted for DIY with the plastic 80-100 liter blue bin based aerobic composting. Costed around Rs. 300 for each bin and drilled a few holes all around for aeration. Since I have it on the terrace, I don't worry much about stink issues.
This is how I setup my DIY blue bin.
Happy shopping and choosing !
In this DIY method what is the culture used for composting ?
ReplyDeletein the DIY setup for aerobic/anaerobic methods, its just that the setup is done by you instead of buying ready made product off the shelf. so in aerobic (which i practice) i add diluted butter milk, cow dung slurry, etc.
ReplyDeletein anaerobic, one can buy the bran or make it themselves.
in the generic DIY ... i meant to say, basically composting with ones own setup in any which way one would like to do it, however assuming one knows what he/she is doing?
the gist of this post is that there is no 1 right way of composting.
Thanks Shrikantji
ReplyDeleteWonderful Blog.,Thank You...
ReplyDeleteGreen House Setup in Bangalore | Gardening Tools in Bangalore