Want to give a upgrade on your plants and still reduce the amount of garbage in your house? Then write down this tip: domestic composer.
Today's post is a complete and well-explained guide for you to understand this composting concept in a very simple way. Come on?
What is the domestic songwriter?
For those who are not yet familiar with the term, we explain: composting is a container or space intended for the “recycling” of organic waste produced at home.
These residues go through a process called composting, where organic materials decompose naturally and become fertilizer. But it doesn't happen that magically.
For everything to go as expected you will need the help of earthworms. That's right! Earthworms are a fundamental part of the composting process. They help to transform the waste into compost, offering the famous worm humus as a final result.
Common doubts about the domestic composter
Does the songwriter smell bad?
If you do everything right, your composter will have that smell of wet earth that is wonderful. But if you fool around and do not follow the instructions correctly then you will have problems with bad smell in the composter.
Does the composter attract mice, flies and cockroaches?
Once again: if you do everything right, your composter is free of bad smell, rats, cockroaches and flies. The important thing in the process is always to cover organic waste to prevent it from coming into contact with the air and releasing gases that attract insects and produce a bad smell. It is also important not to place residues that are difficult to decompose, such as meat, for example.
Can you have a composter at home or in a small apartment?
Yes, yes and yes! Size is not a document when it comes to composing. Most composter models are small and easy to fit in any corner of the house, including the kitchen, under a counter, for example, as they do not release odor or attract insects.
Types of domestic composter and how to make
There are dozens of models of composters. Traditional ones, used in rural areas, are usually made directly on the land. But as the intention here is to offer possibilities for those who live in urban areas, let's talk exclusively about small domestic composters.
The most common domestic composters are those made in plastic boxes. It is even possible to find models that are ready to sell. The price of these composters varies between R $ 80 to R $ 100.
But it is possible to make the same model at home without great difficulties. It is also possible to make composters with paint cans, Styrofoam boxes and even pet bottles.
The important thing is that you understand the biological process that takes place inside the compost bin, and then, whatever the container where the waste will be placed.
Here, we will show you the step by step of three different compositor models. Come and see:
How to make composter with plastic box
Necessary materials
- 3 plastic boxes with lids in the size of 30 x 40 x 15 cm high for families of up to two people or in the size of 45 x 60 x 30 cm high for a house with up to five people. Important tip: the boxes must fit perfectly on top of each other.
- Drill with no. 1, 4 and 5/8 drills
- A plastic faucet (those used in drinking fountains)
- Black earth
- Dry leaves
- Between 100 and 200 earthworms (depending on box size)
Step by step
- Pierce the bottom of two boxes so that the worms can circulate between them and also so that the manure can pass into the bottom box.
- Then, drill a few holes with the 1mm bit in the lid of one of the boxes. This is important to ensure the correct oxygenation for the decomposition of organic material.
- Now drill a hole with the 5/8 bit to fit the tap. Use the box that has not yet been punctured. This box will be placed at the bottom to collect the leachate from the upper boxes.
- At the end of this process, the composter should look like this: box with a tap at the bottom and the two boxes with a hole for the worms at the top. The lid must be placed on top of the first box.
- Now it's time to fill the boxes! Start by making a layer with about 5 cm of black earth in the two boxes that received the holes for the worms.
- Spread the worms on the soil of these two boxes.
- In the top box, start depositing the organic material, always covering it with layers of dry leaves.
- The box should be full in approximately one month, depending on the amount of waste produced in your home. When the box is full, swap it with the middle box.
- While the middle box completes the composting process and generates the leachate, the first box begins to be filled.
- The fertilizer in the middle box will be ready when you notice that there is no apparent residue left. The final product in the box must look like earth and must not smell.
Have any questions? Then follow the step by step in the following video:
(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHN9lqNFlF8 (/ embed)
How to make composters with buckets
The compost bin with buckets works the same way as the compost bin with plastic box, what really changes is the material used in manufacturing and the fact that you can reuse buckets you already have at home or recycle packaging. Follow the step by step:
(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URI6evoQ-NM (/ embed)
How to make composter with pet bottle
The mini compost or pet bottle compost is perfect for those who live alone or produce little organic waste. Just take a look at the step by step and see how simple it is to put this idea into practice:
(embed) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di-nAFY9nmY (/ embed)
Tips for the proper functioning of the domestic composter
- Whenever you add new organic waste, add a layer of dry leaves on top. This covering of leaves prevents the bad smell and the visit of insects.
- To get the dry leaves just take a walk in a park or square and collect the leaves that are lying on the ground.
- Every fifteen days or so, stir the soil to ensure adequate oxygenation for the composting process.
- The humidity of the composter must be observed frequently. If you notice that the inside of the box is very moist, add sawdust and more dry leaves.
- Do not leave the composter in a place that receives a lot of sun. Heat can kill earthworms.
What you can put in the composter
- Vegetable and fruit peels
- Coffee powder
- Tea bags
- Shredded paper
- Egg shells
- Vegetable stems and leaves
- Tooth and matchsticks
- Grains and seeds
- Garden pruning
What you can't put in the composter
- Food waste with salt, sugar, oil and spices in general
- Meats of any kind
Animal feces - Toilet paper
- Excessive citrus fruits
- Plastic and difficult to decompose materials
- Dairy products
How to use compost compost when ready
When your compost bin is full and with all the material already decomposed, you can finally make use of the fertilizer.
To do this, take the box to the sun and wait for about two hours. Enough time for the worms to hide in that first layer of land.
Then, remove all the fertilizer and return the box to the compost pile.
This fertilizer can be used in ornamental plants and vegetable gardens.
The leachate must be removed weekly from the last collection box. Dilute using the following ratio: for each part of leachate use ten parts of water. Then just water your plants with this vitamin mix.
Still not convinced of why you have a songwriter at home? We give you three more reasons:
1. Less garbage
When you realize that there is no “throw away”, that is, that all waste produced over a lifetime continues to exist somewhere on the planet, you realize how much your brief existence has left (negative) marks on world.
And, in this case, the recycling process, be it dry garbage or organic garbage, is seen as a just obligation of the human being, as a means of paying this debt with the environment.
Just to give you an idea, Brazil produces about 160 thousand tons of garbage daily, with organic material representing 57% of this total. If composting becomes a reality in the life of the population, a large part of this waste would be reduced, reducing the need for new landfills and, consequently, the destruction of areas that could be destined for other, much more sustainable and ecological activities.
2. Reduces pollution
All garbage produces pollution. Organic waste, for example, is responsible for much of the emission of greenhouse gases, in addition to contaminating the soil and groundwater.
3. Generates natural fertilizer
The compost is the best way to produce natural fertilizer for your plants. Don't have plants at home? No problem! Donate the fertilizer to someone or use it to fertilize plants in squares and parks, for example. Look what a good thing!
Did you see how simple it is to have a domestic songwriter? Now you just have to recruit your little girls and leave a greener and more positive legacy for the planet!
