Composting Pilot Project Description

Hypothesis

Using the Earth Tub as the basis for an on-site composting plan will provide environmental and economic benefits to the university.

Materials

Labor

Measurements

Proceedures

Installation:
  1. Clear site for use
  2. Build site pad if necessary
  3. Wire electrical outlet and on/off switch (with meter if possible)
  4. Run hose to site
  5. Clear path to site
  6. Install unit
  7. Connect biofilter/hose/electrical

Operation: (batch or continuous)

* Batch operation:

  1. Bring leaves and woodchips (2:1 or ~1.2 : 0.6 cu yds), deposit in tub and fill to half-full (1.75 cu yds).
  2. Mix tub once
  3. Add degradable bags of food waste to tub continuously, lightly mixing after each addition (to shred bag), recording volume, weight, composition and time of deposit
  4. Mix 3 times/week
  5. When full, let tub sit for 21 days or until blower stops; record end date
  6. Empty tub
  7. Measure volume and weight of compost
  8. Screen compost if desired (results in finer grain compost)
  9. Transport to covered curing site (let cure for 30 days for top use, can use plastic mesh bags)
  10. Leaving a small amount of compost inside, repeat from step 1.

* Continuous operation:

  1. Lay down small bed of leaves and wood (~.5 cu yd)
  2. Mix tub once
  3. Add degradable bags of food and yard waste to tub continuously, lightly mixing after each addition, to shred bag (ratio of food:leaves:wood = 100 : 10 : 3, or, more realistically, in cu yds = 2.3 : 1.2 : 0), recording the amount of each addition to calculate ratios
  4. Mix 3 times/week
  5. As the tub approaches capacity, only add food above one unloading door (for one week before partial unloading) and mix only that half of the tub
  6. Empty about 1/2 the tub from the opposite door.
  7. Continue operation from 3.
  8. Measure weight and volume of outgoing compost
  9. Screen compost if desired (results in finer grain compost)
  10. Transport to covered curing site (let cure for 30 days for top use, can also use plastic mesh bags)

Analysis

Does this give you an idea? Then go to the Idea Bank and make it known.

Got questions? You can reach me at envintrn@rice.edu.

        -Return to Composting Pilot Project Page
    -Return to Intern Info Page

Accessed (unknown) times since 9-2-99
Created by Ryan McMullan, Environmental Intern, for the Environmental Programs Steering Committee, creators of The Enviro-Web of Rice University