Category Archives: Composting

The USCC created this site to:

• Offer a more user friendly interface for compost consumers and prospects looking to purchase compost
• Provide an easier way for those looking for composting answers to find what they need
• Serve as a portal for community gardens looking for compost donations as part of our 2013, ‘One Million Tomato‘ campaign

For Consumers:

• How to use compost for different purposes (Lawn, Trees/Shrubs, Flowers & Vegetables)
• What to look for when buying compost, including guidelines
• Where to buy and how much to buy for your needs, including a buying calculator

For Prosumers (Industry Pros):

• Benefits of compost for a variety of commercial applications
• What to look for when buying compost
• Where to buy and how much to buy for your needs, including a buying calculatorTake a look and let us know what you think. We’ll pass it along to our good friends at the USCC.

Along with underlining the successes and struggles of communities who are trying to gain support for composting, the article speaks to industry experts about the challenges, benefits and future of composting.

Most notability, BioBag’s very own VP of Sales, Mark Williams, was quoted.

“Despite the economy, we’re seeing continued growth in our business,” notes Mark Williams, vice president of sales for BioBag. “Each year, more municipalities are going after the organic sector of their waste, recognizing organics as a resource instead of garbage. Just like we recycle cans, bottles, and paper, we’re recycling food and lawn waste, and there are infrastructures developing that are recognizing it as a resource instead of garbage.”

“It’s a huge chunk of the wastestream that hasn’t really been addressed by a lot of cities. After they develop their recycling programs, it’s the biggest chunk left for them to go after,” he says.

The article is really a fascinating and informative outlook of the industry. I learned a great deal the first time I read through it and will need to reread it to further digest everything. So, read it with me here and let me know what you think by commenting on it through our BioBabble Blog, posting on the BioBag Facebook page or tweeting us at @BioBag.

Read the entire MSW Management article here.

Post on the BioBag Facebook Page.

Tweet about it to @BioBag

So, how did they do it?

We thank Marist College for choosing BioBag compostable bags in their mission of collecting food waste and look forward to a million more pounds diverted!

BioBag Employee Sharpens the Saw

Here are some simple tips that let you know all your hard work, and the efforts of the microbes, have paid off.

Ding! Compost is Done!

The compost pile isn’t generating a substantial amount of heat as it did during the most active cycle.

The material will look dark, will be crumbly, fairly dry and have an earthly odor. You shouldn’t have any recognizable organics.

Where to put It, What to do with it?

Soil Amendment: The compost can be worked into the garden soil adding beneficial nutrients. Do this by adding a layer of 1 – 3 inches. The compost also increases a sandy’s soil ability to retain moisture, improves drainage of clayey soil, increases biological activity of earthworms, reduces the adverse effect of excessive acidity and allows the plant to hold more nutrients for longer periods of time.

Potting Mix: Compost can be blended with perlite, soil, sand and other potting materials to make a great potting mix for your plants.

Mulch: Compost as mulch is extremely valuable because it reduces rainfall runoff, decreases water evaporation loss, helps control weeds and keeps the soil cooler in hot weather and warmer in cold weather. Apply a 2 – 3 inch layer on the top of soil around trees, flowers, shrubs and other plants.

Compost Tea: “Compost tea” can be used to water your plants, adding the advantageous nutrients from the compost. Fill a burlap bag with compost and place in a barrel of water, then use the water to fertilize and hydrate your plants.

Now, keep up the good work and continue the cycle. Your garden, your wallet and the earth will thank you!

Great idea: Why don’t you take before and after photos of your yard? You’ll be amazed at the drastic difference between the photos. Just for fun, send those to us. We’d love to see them!

BioBag Employee Sharpens The Saw

Location, Location, Location!

How to Make Your Neighbors Green with Envy

In the early days, your compost pile will be very warm. It might even steam a little, but no need to sound the fire alarm since this is normal. Heating indicates that the material is composting normally.

In order to maintain your neighbors envy with the perfect compost, you will need to turn your pile frequently with a pitchfork, shovel or tool. By turning the pile frequently you are helping provide oxygen to the compost-creating microbes. More microbes = Faster decomposition = Quicker compost.

Check the temperature of your pile on a regular basis and turn the pile when it reaches about 140F+ or below 100F. If it is too difficult to monitor the temperature on an ongoing basis, just try to turn the pile about twice a week.

Also, regularly check the moisture level. Add water to the pile if it looks too dry. A good rule of thumb is to add water every time you turn the pile. If the compost looks too wet, add more dry browns to the pile.

Make sure you monitor the odor as well. Too much water in the system causes overly strong, odorous piles. If this is the case try adding more browns to the pile like mentioned above.

So how do you know when the compost is ready? … Be on the look-out for Part 5: Identifying finished compost and how to apply it correctly.

BioBag Employee Sharpens The Saw

Part 3 will go over the Two Most Popular Types of Compost Units.

Types of Compost Units

When setting up a holding or turning bin, make sure it is in an area protected from drying winds and where it can be reached by a garden hose. It is also a good idea to place the unit/bin in a shady area, away from direct sunlight.

Holding Bin Units

No matter if you are using wire, wood or plastic, the bin composting units should be at least 3 feet wide, 3 feet long and 3 feet high. Larger constructed units will work even better because of better heat retention.

Whether you use the sectional holding bin or a single section holding bin, the best way to go about creating a compost pile is the Sandwich Method.

• Alternate 3” – 4” layers of green and brown material
• Water each layer until moist (not wet) before adding an additional layer on top
• Keep layering until the pile is about 3 feet tall, ending with a layer of browns (Smaller particles decompose faster so try to mulch or cut up the larger yard and food scraps)

Turning Units

To purchase a holding unit turning unit, check out our Vendor of the Month: mygreenmind.com or gardeners.com

Looks like we will be continuing on to Part 4 where we will talk about maintaining your compost pile. Parts 1- 3 and future “parts” will all be archived on our Blog!

If you would like to take a composting class, check out your local county website. My class was put on for FREE by the Florida Cooperative Extensive Service of the University of Florida. There are classes just like this one across the U.S

This Month’s BIG SHOUT-OUT goes to San Francisco, CA!

San Francisco-based Recology, the hauler that collects the city’s organics, started collecting food scraps and other organic materials from residents and businesses in 1996. It took 15 years to get to the first million but Recology’s Mike Sangiacomo thinks they’ll do the second in 5.

Currently, San Francisco is recycling 78% of its garbage with a 2020 goal to be a completely zero waste city.

Congratulations to the City of San Francisco and all the participating businesses, organizations and residents of this program. One Million Tons is truly an amazing and inspirational accomplishment.

For more information and the full article visit, NBC Bay Area.

As for the old costumes, donating will probably be the best option as well as participating in a costume swap next year!

And a big shout-out to Portland, OR!

Residents may use newspaper, paper bags and approved compostable bags (i.e. BioBags) to line their pails. If you or someone you know lives in Portland, you can get BioBags at the approved retailers linked here.

For more information about the Portland Composting Program visit, portlandcomposts.com

BioBag Employee Sharpens The Saw

Composting Benefits

• Improves soil condition and structure
• Increases the soil’s ability to hold water
• Support leaving organisms
• Helps dissolves mineral forms of nutrients
• Buffers soil from chemical imbalances
• May provide biological control of certain pests
• Helps return organic materials to the soil and keep them out of landfills and waterways

Wow! Compost is black gold!

Compost Terminology

• Composting: Controlled decomposition of organic materials
• Compost: Partially decomposed organic matter
• Humus: Completely decomposed organic matter
• Mulch: Organic or inorganic spread on soil surface
• Browns or the Carbon component in the composting process: Leaves, sawdust, wood chips
• Greens or the Nitrogen component in the composting process: Manure, food waste, spent flowers, nitrogen fertilizers, grass clippings

The Ideal Mixture of brown to green when composting is a ratio of 30:1 (30 brown : 1 green)

Compost what?

This is a sample of items that should be A-OK for your home composting.

• Fruit and vegetables left overs (stalks, seeds, peels, skins)
• Breads, grains, rice, flour, cereal, pasta
• Yard trimmings, wood chips, plants, flowers, leaves, straw, hay
• Natural fibers (cotton, wool, linen)
• Hair (human and animal)
• Feathers
• Herbivore manure
• Coffee grounds and filters as well as tea leaves and bags (no staples)
• Newsprint, paper, cardboard, paper plates, cups and napkins
• Eggshells

If you would like to take a composting class, check out your local county website. My class was put on for FREE by the Florida Cooperative Extensive Service of the University of Florida. There are classes just like this one across the U.S

BioBag Employee Sharpens The Saw

Composting:

• Anaerobic (without oxygen): decomposition that is often called fermentation or putrefaction. It is usually accompanied by the release of methane or the foul odor of hydrogen sulfide (rotten egg smell). Anaerobic decomposition occurs slowly and little heat is generated.
• Aerobic (with oxygen): a naturally occurring process in nature where organic waste is converted into humus. There is little to no smell. The process creates lots of energy in the form of heat. The heat is an advantage as it destroys pathogens and parasites.
• The cast of characters that aid in composting are: bacteria, fungi, millipedes, earthworms and other living inhabitants.

There are 3 types of bacteria:

• Psychrophilic (low temperature bacteria)
• Mesophilic (40 – 110 degrees F) they do most of the work in the compost piles
• Thermophilic (104 – 200 degrees F)

Moisture content of 40% – 60% is ideal for bacteria. If it is less than 40%, the bacteria slow down and go dormant. If the moisture content is 60%+, it is too wet which means the pile looses too much air and anaerobic conditions set in.

Turning the pile brings fresh air to the microbes in which their numbers multiply quickly. More microbes = Faster decomposition = Quicker compost

As the pile cools or in the later stages of decomposition, other larger organisms settle in.

• Fungi are major decomposers in the compost pile however, not as efficient as bacteria
• Nematodes or roundworms
• Fermentation mites
• Springtails
• Wolf Spiders
• Centipedes
• Sow bugs
• Ground beetles
• Earthworms

A slight detour. One cool factoid about Grass Clippings:

Like I said, this only covered a portion of what was presented in the class. Be on the look out for Part 2 next month with a possible Part 3.

If you would like to take a composting class, check out your local county website. My class was put on for FREE by the Florida Cooperative Extensive Service of the University of Florida. There are classes just like this one across the U.S. Take some time for you, our earth and Sharpen that Composting Saw! (Plus you might get a lot of cool composting schwag like I did. I plan to start my own composting pile soon. See photo below.)