Kansas Green Teams
Managing Home Owner Yard Materials and Other Organics
July 16, 2009
Ken PowellKansas Department of Health and Environment
(785) 296-1121 (785) 296-1592 [email protected]
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Organics Produced
• Yard Waste up to 15%
• Food Waste up to 13%
• Office Paper up to 5%
• Cardboard up to 18%
• Other Paper up to 10%
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Methods of Managing Organics
• Toss in Trash
• Feed to Pets and Livestock
• Compost
• Recycle
• Reuse
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Composting
• What is Compost?– Organic material which has decomposed into a
humus‑rich soil amendment
• What is Composting?– A controlled process of microbial degradation
of organic material into a stable, nuisance‑free humus‑like product
• Why Compost?KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotes
responsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
The Process
• The Biological Process– Aerobic vs. Anaerobic– Fast vs. Slow
• Decomposition– Enzymatic Digestion by Microbes– Chemical Process
• Converts Ammonia to Organic Nitrogen
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
The Backyard Process
• Ingredients– Yard Waste (Leaves and Grass)– Junk Mail– Waste Grains (bird seed)– Livestock Manures (No cat or dog feces)– Animal Bedding– Dead Animals???
• Carbon and Nitrogen– 30:1 is ideal
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
The Process
• Moisture– 40 ‑ 60%– Squeeze Test
• Aeration– Turning Frequency
• Particle Size• Temperature
– 120‑1550F
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
The Product
• Uses of Compost– Mulch– Turfgrass– Gardens– Lawns– Landfill Cover Amendment– Fertilizer Replacement
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Quality
• Odor• Color• pH• Pathogens• Heavy Metals• Organic Content• Inert Contaminants• Maturity/Stability• Soluble Salts
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Monitoring & Testing
• What To Monitor– Storage Time Before Adding To Bin
– Temperature
– Moisture
– C/N Ratio
– Time in Pile or Windrow
– Odors
– O2 and CO2
– Curing Time
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Monitoring & Testing
• Testing (KDOT Specifications)– NPK– Soluble Salts– Maturity– pH– Bulk Density– Organic Matter Content– Moisture Content
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Three Bin BackyardComposting System
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
Specialty Items
• Compost Thermometer
• Moisture Meter
• pH Meter
• Compost Tea Brewer
• Compost Spreaders
• Rain Barrels
Resources
• Kansas State University Extension Service
• Cornell University
• California Integrated Waste Management Board
• Oregon DEQ
• Washington DEQ
• Private Web Sites
Vermicomposting (Worms)
• Topeka VA Hospital
• Private Sites
KDHE Mission: As the state's environmental protection and public health agency, KDHE promotesresponsible choices to protect the health and environment for all Kansans
