After a quiet July, August was a busy month for the Green SXM Pilot Compost Project. The first batch of compost has been almost entirely used up, and chamber 1 of the composter is now full with batch 2. Once again, the compost is hot (above 140 degrees Fahrenheit) , and aerated using forced air from a blower, reducing the frequency of turning the pile.
A full batch of compost is comprised of about 1300 liters of waste. This batch is mostly food prep waste, sargassum, wood chips, shredded cardboard, and grass clippings.
Total Waste Kept Out of the Landfill Month 2:
1400 liters / 49 cubic feet / 1300 lbs / 590 kg (estimated)
Cumulative (batch 1 and 2):
2720 liters / 96 cubic feet / 2569 lbs / 1165kg (estimated)
And to put those amounts into the real world:
(Using the calculator from The University of Texas at Austin)
590 kg of organic waste in a landfill releases 2.02 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
On the other hand, composting that same waste removes 0.25 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
Net savings for each month’s full batch of compost: 2.27 metric tons
An average American’s annual carbon footprint is 20 metric tons.
The global average carbon footprint is 4 metric tons.
A return economy class transatlantic flight is about 1 metric ton.
Other Compost Projects
As we approach the peak of hurricane season, many gardens have had a big cleanup – leaving more branches to be chipped. The leafier trimmings have been used in a large sheet compost (lasagna composting) bed and wood too big for the chipper has been used hugelkultur style in raised beds. The goal is to have nothing go to waste – and nothing going to the garbage dump that doesn’t need to.
We use a wood-chipper capable of handling branches up to 3″ in diameter.
In the spirit of cleaning up, the composter has also had a fresh coat of paint.
Planting and Growing
The first batch of compost has been used to prepare the ground for a future mango tree to give the composting area shade. We are using grey water to establish new trees, as well as clay pot irrigation from Gardening with Less Water to increase the time between watering.
The pineapple tops have tripled in size in the last three months. The vast majority rooted successfully, and the plan is to get them into the ground in time to take advantage of the increased seasonal rainfall.
Conclusion
Aerated static pile composting has saved a great deal of time. It has also helped avoid odors, although it does have the habit of drying out the pile. The first batch of compost did not get turned twice, as originally scheduled. However, the food waste was completely broken down by the end of the second month. As expected, wood chips and card are not completely broken down as they use a slower cooler process than the food waste.
The net carbon savings, as well as the volume of trash kept out of the landfill, is encouraging. Small scale hot composting is a worthwhile endeavor for businesses and individuals looking to reduce their environmental impact.
The businesses and individuals involved to date have all made a fantastic effort providing sorted and separated waste. It takes a few extra steps, but they are easy to adopt and adapt.
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