Composting Workshop

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• Composting Workshop
• One Simple Act

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• In Alberta, what material makes up the majority
  of household waste?
• A Organics/Yard Waste
• B Beverage Containers
• C Paper

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The average Albertan disposes 289 kg of
residential waste every year
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Images courtesy Dr. Riley Kinman, University of
Cincinnati
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What happens to organics at a landfill site?
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Greens
Browns
Water
Air
Soil
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• BUILD YOUR OWN COMPOST BIN

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www.edmonton.ca/waste Composting Bins You Can
Build
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Continue Layering
Save your browns!
Add moisture as needed

• Mix often to speed the process

The more effort you put in the more compost
youll get out
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When is my compost ready to use?

Uses
Mulch Compost Tea Add to potted plants Add to
garden soil or spread around trees
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Nutrient rich soil enhancer
Holds moisture
Saves money
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Symptom Problem Solution
Smells like eggs Too much moisture Add dry ingredients
Too compact not enough air Mix often
Smells like ammonia Too much Nitrogen (green) Add more browns (carbon) and mix
Process is slow (compost can take anywhere from 3-12mths) Not enough surface area Shred or break organics in to smaller pieces (less than 20-25cm)
Critters are interested in my compost Wrong material has been added Dont add any grains, cooked meat or bones
Organic are exposed Make sure food is covered with soil or a layer of brown
Winter is coming Process has slowed or stopped Temperature is too cold Continue to add to your compost bin. If bin is full start a new bin or store materials. Process will begin again in the spring.
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Grasscycling
Vermicomposting
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Worms have blood.
Worms cannot see.
If a worm is cut in half both parts will grow
back.
Worms have teeth.
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Compost year round
Castings make an excellent soil conditioner
Limited space
Educational experience
Diverts waste from the landfill
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The Container
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The Bedding
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The Worms
Eisentia fetida
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You have too many worms when more than
one-fifth of your bin is worms
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• Build a Vermicompost Bin

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Regularly
In Moderation
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Cover
Weekly
Mark area
Monitor
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Easy Method
Migration Method
Cone Method
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My compost smells awful!
I have a fruit fly infestation
I have moldy food in my vermicompost bin
My pile is sopping wet!
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Questions/Comments?
www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca