Home Composting – How Can You Turn Your Spoils Into Soil

Blogs / Home Composting – How Can You Turn Your Spoils Into Soil

According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, 62 million tonnes of waste is generated every year in India.

About 40 – 50 percent of it is wet waste, which is organic in nature and can be decomposed easily. Composting is one of the best methods to manage organic waste generated domestically.

If every household in India can take up home composting, the looming waste crisis can be averted.

Composting is a natural biological process in which microorganisms break down the organic material into a dark soil-like product called compost.

Also known as manure, the nutrient-rich compost works as a conditioner for soil. Experts say that by segregating, recycling, and composting, a family in India can drastically reduce the waste accumulation from 1000 Kg to 100 Kg every year.

Benefits of Composting

Composting can help in reducing household waste. It is a convenient and practical method to convert kitchen scraps, banana peels, leftover food, and other waste into a valuable resource.

Apart from that, using compost in your garden can boost the quality and health of the soil. The nutrients in the compost are in a form that can be readily used by plants.

This, in turn, will help plant growth. Also, the dependence on chemical fertilizers can be minimized.

Additionally, the composting process prevents greenhouse gases.

How?

When organic waste is sent to landfills, it gets mixed with other types of waste and does not decompose easily.

It leads to the formation of methane, which is a greenhouse gas. Thus, composting protects the environment and reduces the burden of landfills.

Now that you know the benefits of turning your spoils to the soil, find out how to do home composting.

1) Know what you can compost

Things You Can Compost: Fruit peels, vegetable scraps, eggshells, peanut shells, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves, grass clippings, and bark.
Things You Should Avoid Composting: Fish, Meat, Dairy items, Plastic, Vegetable oils, diseased plants, and invasive weeds.

2) Choose a site

You can choose a site in your garden and begin a compost pile. A place which receives both sun and shade during the day is recommended.

You can prepare the compost pile as you prefer. It can be a dense heap, your own compost bin, or a pre-built compost bin. Make sure it receives proper air.

3) Prepare the compost pile

Start preparing by cutting or shredding the waste into smaller pieces. It will help the waste to decompose faster, and you will get the compost in less time.

Add layers of waste that are two to six inches thick. Use greens like food waste and grass clippings and browns like straw and leaves alternately.

The compost pile should be kept moist as it helps in decomposition. Aeration is important as the microorganisms need enough oxygen to break down the organic materials.

Mix the waste well after adding a new layer of waste every time.

4) Compost is ready

Compost is ready when it turns into rich and dark brown colour and looks decomposed into a soil-like product. You can use the compost to boost soil quality and plant growth.

Some of the common issues faced while home composting include the emission of foul odour and insects and pests the compost pile often attracts.

But these challenges can be easily overcome by adopting the right choices and natural solutions.

Organica Biotech is one of the leading companies with advanced solutions for home composting. SoilMate consists of rapidly acting bacteria that help in the decomposition of all kinds of waste in the compost pile.

Its Odour busting technology is capable of suppressing foul odour. Also, SoilMate inhibits harmful pathogens and repels flies and insects.

Use SoilMate and turn your spoils into soil without any hassles.