While we feel cleaner after taking out our trash, our local landfills keep getting nastier.
In 2010, Trinidad and Tobago was estimated to have a waste generation rate of 700,000 tonnes per year, or around 1.5 kilograms per capita, per day. This high level of waste generation led to several issues, the main one being that our landfill spaces are quickly running out. However, there is yet another dark cloud surrounding this issue - and it’s full of methane.
That’s right, our ever-growing landfill is a major source of methane, a greenhouse gas which, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is 28 - 36 times more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide.
But how does this happen?
Well, when organic waste is sent to the landfill, it undergoes two key stages of decomposition. The first one is aerobic wherein biodegradable wastes react with the oxygen present, producing carbon dioxide and water.
Then, typically within less than a year, anaerobic conditions are established due to compression, and methane-producing bacteria take over the process, releasing methane into the atmosphere.
Due to this, the gases produced and released from global landfills usually consist of 40-60% methane, with the rest being mainly carbon dioxide.
In June 2019, acting CEO of the Solid Waste Management Company Limited (SWMCOL), Ms. Aisha Clarke-Roach, commented on the need to remediate our local landfills. Noting that this should be done in tandem with the promotion of alternative waste disposal and management options, she promoted the idea of an Integrated Waste Management System that adopts sustainable approaches rather than the sole reliance on landfills.
As such, SWMCOL has implemented recycling programs throughout the country, aimed at alleviating the burden on landfills.
But, it’s not just up to them. We must also #playourpart and engage in positive habits which help to reduce the amount of waste we send to our landfills.
In fact, two weeks ago, I was able to take part in a 2-part composting workshop, hosted by New Fire World in collaboration with JTB Homesteads and the Central Pathfinders Foundation, which was intended to help with just that.
The first session took place on January 25th, beginning with an informative introduction wherein we learned about the basics of composting and went through the hands-on experience of building our own heap using the materials brought in by the participants.
But…what is composting?
Well, it’s simply the controlled aerobic decomposition of organic material (such as plants, food scraps, animal droppings, and animal remains) which produces compost – a nutrient-rich, sweet-smelling and darkly coloured soil amendment which is used to improve the air circulation and water retention in soils, while also working as a natural fertilizer.
It's also an amazing way to target Trinidad and Tobago's waste issue as it converts decomposing materials into stable products, thereby reducing valuable space which are currently used as landfills. Furthermore, it also allows for organic waste to decompose aerobically, preventing the production and release of methane.
To create a successful compost pile, you need the following key components:
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Organic Material – These should include a mixture of brown organic material (e.g. twigs, coconut husks and dried leaves or grass) and green materials (e.g. lawn clippings, green leaves, manure, fruits, vegetables). The browns supply carbon which is needed for energy and the greens supply nitrogen which helps to grow and attract organisms to oxidize the carbon. The ratio for greens to browns is usually 1:25 and the shredding or chopping up of these materials into smaller pieces will help to speed up the process by increasing surface area.
Oxygen – This is needed to support the decomposition of material by bacteria. To ensure that the pile has enough oxygen, frequent turning of the compost pile is suggested. This also helps to control odor.
Water – Moisture is needed to support the decomposition process and therefore if the pile is too dry, materials will decompose very slowly. However, if the pile is too wet it can also slow down the process, this can, therefore, be counteracted by adding more browns or by turning and mixing the materials. The right balance of water and air is critical to maintaining high activity (high temperatures 54-71°C) without creating anaerobic conditions.
Microorganisms – Bacteria and other organisms like fungi and protozoa are the backbone of the process and will remain active once all other requirements are met. Considering that bacteria release heat when decomposing, you can check if the activity is high by checking the temperature of the heap.
Other creatures - Larger organisms such as insects and earthworms are also active composters which help to break down larger compost materials through ingestion and also help with both aeration and drainage).
But how do you put these together? Well, it's actually really simple, all you need to do is follow the simple guide provided below:
Guide for Traditional Composting
If you’d like to start a compost heap, the following guide is for you! Here are the simple steps you need to follow:
1. Choose a suitable spot in your backyard that is least likely to be affected by high winds and pets. Then, begin your compost heap by creating a twigs/sticks and browns layer: Starts by putting down a base layer of coarser materials such as chopped stalks, sticks, branches, husks, corn cobs, and coconut shells. This helps to improve the initial aeration at the bottom of the pile. Then, add in softer materials like dead leaves and dried grasses. You can also add some finished compost, soil, or manure to introduce active micro-organisms.
2. Greens layer: Next, add your greens to the heap. These can include your kitchen scraps such as vegetable and fruit peels, leftovers, napkins, paper, cardboard and green leaves. You can also include dairy items such as cheese and other non-plant food scraps such as bones and meat, however, this is not recommended as it will likely attract larger and generally more unappealing critters to your heap. When adding these items, add the kitchen scraps first and then cover them with green leaves before giving the heap a generous wetting.
3. Cover (browns layer): After ensuring the pile is sufficiently moist, cover the items with a soft browns layer (mainly dried leaves and grass) to help keep the greens together, reduce any odor and create a suitable habitat for not only the microorganisms present but also the other creatures which you aim to attract - such as flies, cockroaches, ants, beetles, centipedes, and spiders. You can then wet the outside of the heap and use your rake to neatly shape it into a dome. After this, leave the heap to rest for a 2 - 7 day period (based on your availability).
4. Check the temperature (bacterial activity): After 2 - 7 days, you can turn your heap for the first time. However, you should first check the heap's bacterial activity to avoid disrupting it during a peak activity period. This is done by checking the temperature at various points with a composting thermometer or a long stick (which can be stuck in the heap and felt to assess if the temperature inside the pile is hotter than the atmospheric temperature). You can also make assumptions based on appearance; i.e., if the heap dry and uninhabited, activity has likely stopped.
5. Turning the compost heap: Open the heap from the center outwards and ensure that all originally added materials are mixed in by bringing them from the middle of the heap to the edges. After this add any new green materials you want to compost and mix them in following the same pattern (from the centre go out) as shown in the photograph. After thoroughly mixing the items together, pile them back into a dome-shaped heap, aiming to keep the greens covered, and moisten the heap as needed.
6. Repeat: Repeat steps 3 - 5 as needed until your compost is complete. The speed at which your compost is completed depends on two key factors:
Adding: Every time you add new material it will be like starting over as all new items will still need to go through the full decomposition process.
Turning: If you do not add new materials and you turn and wet your heap every two days, your compost could finish within as little as 18 days. With less turning and wetting, it could take a few months.
There you have it! Your full guide to building a successful compost heap! I actually just started mine today and I'm super excited to see the finished product.
So, what do you think? Is this something you can see yourself trying out? Have you ever created your own heap? Comment and share your experiences below!
Also for more information on composting, feel free to reach out to New Fire World, JTB Homesteads and/or the Central Pathfinders Environmental Foundation.
- Jamala