6/25/04 - Weekly Report - The Case for Composting; Green Waste Program on Hawai`i Island

Hawai`i County residents are generating approximately 30,000 tons of green waste annually and we need to keep it out of our landfills to conserve precious airspace and minimize methane buildup.

That brings us to how we recycle our yard trimmings and table scraps into something really useful, by composting.

What is Composting?

Composting is a process whereby organic material like leaves, branches and fruit decompose under controlled conditions. The backyard composter builds a pile of green waste, which the bugs, worms and bacteria eat, leaving behind humus, a sweet-smelling, nutrient-rich material that plants love. (Properly composted organic waste becomes humus.)

Besides being very rich in itself, humus, or compost, boosts the nutrient- and water-holding capacity of our volcanic cinder soils.

What Ingredients Make Good Compost? What Shouldn’t Go into the Heap?

Plant cuttings, mown grass, chipped trees, some food scraps, coffee grounds, egg shells, wood ash, and even shredded paper decompose to make great compost. Woody matter should be chopped into small pieces to promote faster decomposition.

For the purpose of composting, one should separate the vegetable and fruit food scraps (meat, fish and dairy excluded). Keep the vegetable and fruit food scraps in a container with tight lid to prevent odors, and empty the container into the compost heap frequently.

Chicken or steer manure helps because it adds nitrogen to the mix.

You shouldn’t put diseased plants, pet poop or used kitty litter, meats or animal bones, dairy products, oils or oily things like leftover salad with dressing into the compost heap.

These items can spread diseases and/or attract pests like rats and flies.

Obviously, non-biodegradable items like plastics, metal or glass won’t work.

Once it’s in the heap, what then?

It can be as simple as piling up your grass and leaves and letting "nature take its course."

Turning the pile with a pitchfork or shovel periodically aerates the compost and speeds up decomposition. How often you need to turn it depends on the size, temperature and moisture content of the pile. Generally, turn 2 to 3 times before compost is finished.

Or a composter could be more systematic about it, starting the pile with a layer of carbon-rich materials (dead leaves, wood chips, shredded paper), topped with a layer of nitrogen-rich materials (food scraps like papaya skins), turning over the mixture periodically with a pitchfork.

This method brings rapid results and yields high-quality compost chock-full of nutrients that plants need: nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium and bountiful micro-nutrients.

Adding topsoil or old compost between the layers will jump-start decomposition in a pile.

Maintain proper moisture conditions (about the consistency of a wet sponge). Cover with plastic or roofing tin to prevent saturation by rain water and to retain moisture in dry weather.

What about Worms?

Vermiculture or "worm culture" is also an option, using worms to eat the fruit and vegetable scraps,. They even eat shredded paper. Feasting worms create a rich nitrogen source for gardens. Call Recycle Hawai`i for more information about vermiculure at 961-2676.

The Nose Knows… When There’s a Problem in the Compost Heap

Depending on where you live, your compost heap can develop certain problems:

Dry Area Symptoms

Rotten egg smell means the compost isn’t getting enough oxygen. Turn over (aerate) the pile.

Ammonia smell means too much oxygen in the compost. Add wood chips/leaves.

Pile not composting means it’s too dry or too small. Add water or add material.

Pile is damp and not composting means not enough nitrogen. Add food scraps or chicken/steer manure.

Wet Area Symptoms

Bad odor means the pile is too wet or lacks enough oxygen. Cover the pile and turn it over with pitchfork.

Pile is damp with a sweet smell and won't heat up – means not enough nitrogen. Add food scraps or chicken/steer manure.

Much of the information for this article is courtesy of the Cooperative Extension Service of the University of Hawai`i at Manoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.

For their free detailed brochure on composting entitled Backyard Composting, visit www.recyclehawaii.org and click on UH Compost Brochure. For further information, call Recycle Hawai`i at 961-2676.

For Traffic Closures and Parking questions: Call: Lt. James Sanborn at 961-2350	For Questions about County Park Activities: Call Roxcie Waltjen at 961-8706
For Questions about Tents and Canopies: Call Bryan Sugiyama at 974 6208 Call Glenn Taguchi 974-6200	For Questions about Shuttle Services: Call Tom Brown at 961-8343
For Questions about Fireworks Rules: Call Fire Inspector Jack Pacleb at 961-8350.

April 16	District 8 – No. Kona, Kailua-Kona	Venue: Imin Center 10:00 a.m.
April 16	District 8 – No. Kona, Kailua-Kona	Venue: Hale Halewai 5:00 p.m.
April 30	District 7 – South & North Kona	Venue: Kainaliu Coop. Ext. Svc.
May 14	District 4 – So. Hilo & Keaukaha	Venue: Aupuni Center Conf. Rm.
May 28	District 5 – Lower Puna	Venue: Pahoa Community Center
June 18	District 9 – North & South Kohala	Venue: Waimea Community Cntr.
July 9	District 6 – Ka‘u, So. Kona & Puna	Venue: Na‘alehu Community Cntr.