Why your business should be composting and how to do it
It’s International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), an annual event which highlights the importance of composting, the benefits it brings and aims to educate people on how to compost in schools, at work and at home.
Composting is a great way for businesses to target the amount of waste they send to landfill and their environmental impact. It can also save money by reducing waste disposal costs.
Not sure where to start? Don’t worry we’re here to help set your business up for successful composting in just 5 simple steps.
Step 1: Audit your waste
The first step in starting a composting programme is to audit your waste. Identify how much and what type of waste your organisation generates. Determine which materials are compostable, such as food waste, garden waste, and paper products, and estimate how much waste your business produces on a daily, weekly, and monthly basis. This information will help inform the right composting method and equipment.
Step 2: Choose a composting method
There are several composting methods that businesses can use, including:
Aerated composting: An aerobic method of composting meaning it requires oxygen. Adding oxygen to the compost pile speed ups the decomposition process by promoting the growth of bacteria.
Vermicomposting: Uses worms to break down organic materials. Worms eat the waste and turn them into nutrient-rich soil.
Bokashi composting: A type of anaerobic compost meaning it breaks down waste without oxygen. The process typically involves layering food scraps and other organic matter with the bokashi bran in a sealed container over a few weeks.
The composting method you choose will depend on the type and volume of waste you generate, as well as the space and resources available. For example, businesses with limited space may want to choose a vermicomposting or bokashi composting method, while those with large volumes of organic waste may be better suited to an aerated composting system.
Step 3: Acquire supplies
Once you have decided on a method, you need to obtain the necessary equipment and supplies. This may include compost bins or tumblers, composting worms (for vermicomposting), or bokashi composting kits.
Step 4: Educate employees
Before composting, it’s crucial that you educate your employees on how to sort and dispose of waste correctly and the importance of doing so. Clearly label the bins with examples of what can be disposed of in each bin to act as a constant reminder.
Step 5: Monitor, maintain and use your compost pile
Make sure to turn the pile regularly as that will help air get into it. If you’re unsure if it’s the right conditions you can use a compost thermometer to measure its temperature, it should be between 57°C-71°C. To check the moisture levels, take a handful of compost material and squeeze it. It should clump together. If water comes out, it’s too wet but if it’s crumbly, it’s too dry. Add water or dry material accordingly. Once your compost is fully decomposed, it can be used as soil amendment or mulch.
Composting has many benefits to an organisation, from improving sustainability to reducing costs. By following these five steps, your organisation can set itself up for composting success.