What Is Compost?
Compost is the aerobically decomposed remnants of organic materials (those with plant and animal origins).
**Isn't that interesting?!**
In Gladfelter Cafeteria and Cow Pie Cafe, we have bins set up to collect food (vegetables and meat), napkins, coffee, tea bags, etc for composting.
This Should Explain Everything
We Compost Using A GreenDrum
The GreenDrum project was started by our compost coordinator Philip Shaw. Philip, with an unbridled determination to compost everything in sight, launched into a year long quest to bring composting to our school. Researching method after method, Philip finally found the perfect composter. One hitch: it cost $20,000. After much deliberation and hassling of the higher ups, Philip was able to negotiate the purchase of the Greendrum with the help of a generous grant. Here is Philip's official statement to the press about the Greendrum project:
This Is What Quality Compost Looks Like
"The college purchased the GREENDRUM from BW Organics for $20,000 on February 4, 2005. It was installed on February 15, 2005. The GREENDRUM is a large rotating insulated drum that, when loaded with a good balance of carbon and nitrogen bearing substances, turns food waste into nutrient filled, highly beneficial compost. The Recycling Crew began collecting feedstock from Gladfelter and the Cow Pie once our state permit was granted, on April 12, 2005. Food (including kitchen prep waste, unused prepared food, and plate scrapings) is mixed with woodchips, sawdust, and shredded paper, and loaded into the GREENDRUM. After about 5 days in highly aerobic conditions at high temperatures (over 131F), compost (very immature compost) is unloaded and moved to a curing site where it sits for about 30-45 days. After that time, compost can be used as soil amendment in the garden, and as mulch/fertilizer by the landscaping crew. Future plans include purchasing a compost tea brewer to further exploit the benefits of compost."
How Does The Greendrum Work?
Rotating drum composting digesters have been used both for large-scale facilities and backyard composting for many years. Recently, several versions of small commercial-scale rotating drums have emerged that are suitable to on-site composting of food. The vendors include BW Organics (Greendrum), Augspurger Engineering and Environmental Products & Technologies Corporation (EPTC).
WWC'S Very Own Greendrum
Drums are oriented horizontally, sometimes at a slight incline. They slowly tumble material either continuously (Greendrum) or intermittently (Augspurger and EPTC). Feedstocks are loaded at one end and compost is removed at the opposite end. While various devices are used, loading with augers or conveyors and unloading by gravity are the norm. Inside the drum, the tumbling action mixes, agitates and generally moves material through the drum. In regard to the composting process, the key function of the rotation is to expose the material to air, add oxygen and release heat and gaseous products of decomposition.
Well written description courtesy of EnvironmentalExpert.com, http://www.environmental-expert.com/magazine/biocycle/march2000/article1.htm
The essential elements required by the composting microorganisms are carbon, nitrogen, oxygen and moisture. If any of these elements are lacking, or if they are not provided in the proper proportion, the microorganisms will not flourish and will not provide adequate heat. A composting process that operates at optimum performance will convert organic matter into stable compost that is odor and pathogen free, and a poor breeding substrate for flies and other insects. In addition, it will significantly reduce the volume and weight of organic waste as the composting process converts much of the biodegradable component to gaseous carbon dioxide.
Well written information courtesy of www.ecochem.com http://www.ecochem.com/t_compost_faq2.html