Composting at home is often considered the most beneficial from an ecological point of view way to deal with household biodegradable waste (food scraps and garden "green" waste).
In recent years, composting has been included in waste management programs because it offers an alternative to separate waste collection, especially in sparsely populated areas of the country.It is made from garden leaves, plant waste, kitchen waste, such as fruit and vegetable peels, used tea leaves, ground coffee, eggshells. Cardboard, paper, and wood shavings can also be added.Composting is a process of decomposing organic waste in the presence of oxygen, which results in a homogeneous brownish-black crumbly material suitable for fertilizing agricultural crops and restoring organic matter in soils.
The most important factors influencing the process are: the presence of oxygen, moisture, the carbon to nitrogen ratio, particle size, acidity of the medium, and temperature.
For quality compost, an optimal carbon to nitrogen ratio of 25:1 is maintained, i.e., 25 units of carbon to one unit of nitrogen. "Brown" materials such as: branches, straw, dry leaves, wood shavings, cardboard are rich in carbon, while "green" materials such as: mowed grass, fruit and vegetable peels are moist and rich in nitrogen. Another important factor in composting is the moisture level; it should be around 60%. If a balanced carbon to nitrogen ratio is maintained, you will also ensure proper moistening of the compost. The materials should be moist to the touch but not dripping wet. If the compost is too wet, you should add dry "brown" materials. If it is too dry, you risk the composting process stopping, which is why you should add more nitrogen-rich waste. The microorganisms that form the compost need air to live. During decomposition, the volume of the compost drastically decreases, thereby reducing the amount of available oxygen. That is why it is important to turn the content, ensuring air penetration. The more you turn it, the better. 1 to 2 times a month is sufficient for a process that will last between 5 and 6 months.
