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Composting Equipment
Composting, often described as nature’s way of recycling, is the biological process of breaking up of organic waste such as food waste, manure, leaves, grass trimmings, paper, worms, and coffee grounds, etc., into an extremely useful humus-like substance by various micro-organisms including bacteria, fungi and actinomycetes in the presence of oxygen. Actinomycetes are similar to fungus in the way they grow and spread, but its distinguishing elements are that the types of materials they are efficient at decomposing. The active nature in this microscopic bacteria and the sheer number present (about 10 million per 1 gram of soil), make them highly effective at breaking down materials like tree bark, newspaper, and other hard organic material. Today, the use of composting to turn organic wastes into a valuable resource is expanding rapidly in many countries, as landfill space becomes scarce and expensive, and as people become more aware of the impact they have on the environment.
Compost is a cheap and eco-friendly substitute to chemical fertilizers. Gardening generates a large amount of grass clippings, leaves, and other plant debris. Throwing out all of this material can rob the soil of key nutrients that plants need. By composting you can transform this material into black gold for your yard and garden. Compost not only adds nutrients to the soil – it also increases the ground’s ability to hold water. There is large variety of compost equipment available in the market today. The commonly available equipment includes composting bins, drums, tumblers, and worm composting bins. Compost aerators and compost starters are readily available as well. Furthermore, compost thermometers and moisture meters are also being manufactured nowadays. Compost bins come in numerous different versions to meet the needs of different individuals. Popular types include covered bridge organic hot bins, coated mesh wire bins and earth engine double bins. Most compost containers are smaller than a compost bin, and are stored on the kitchen counter for easy access. This container can compost any variety of organic kitchen scraps, other than meat, bones, fat or dairy products. These types of compost containers come in many unique styles including ceramic crocks and stainless steel kitchen composters. The larger version of this piece of compost equipment is referred to as a compost barrel, and is stored outside, for easier access to the compost heap or bin. Compost tumblers make the job of composting large amounts of material very easy. The various versions of tumblers can compost between 30 to 200 gallons (113.5 to 757 liters) of compost at one time. The popular types of compost tumblers include patio, base, bullet and sphere tumblers. Organic material is placed in the tumbler and depending on the type of tumbler; it is either turned, flipped or rolled a couple times a day. Due to their odor control features, compost tumblers are popular in suburban areas, where the smell of a compost pile or bin wouldn't be appreciated. A compost starter helps in speeding up the decaying process. It contains decay-causing microorganisms. Some brands also contain nutrients, enzymes, hormones, and other stimulants that help decomposers work as fast as possible. The main goal of using any compost starter is to provide an environment that is rich in nitrogen and protein, in order to support the growth of microorganisms. Moisture detection equipment can be useful, especially with high moisture feedstock or in very dry climates. Moisture meters help to measure moisture levels inside the pile. A moisture content of 50-60% is ideal. Oxygen meters also come in handy especially in forced aeration systems. An oxygen meter can detect oxygen levels and indicate if there is a need to incorporate more air through turning, forced aeration or changing the mix to include more coarse bulking material. Oxygen levels should range from 5% to 16%. A compost turning tool is also an essential part of composting equipment. A compost turner keeps your compost properly aerated and aids in rapid decomposition of your organic material. A compost fork helps you turn the compost and keep it aerated as well. Compost aerators are also widely used these days. A compost thermometer lets you know if your pile is too hot or cold, and how close it is to the ideal temperature. Ideally, the temperature of compost pile should be between 104 and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Other special purpose equipment available in the market today includes windrow turners, mixers and manure spreaders, wood chippers, bale choppers, tub grinders and many more.
Self-Contained Composting Toilet Return From Composting Equipment to the Benefits of Recycling home page.
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