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The problem of solid waste management has been identified as one of the major concerns of a city or municipality in the

Philippines. Increasing urbanization, rising economic activities and rapid population growth have seen to contribute to the generation of waste. Meanwhile, the local governments are restricted within their limited faculties to effectively manage the generated waste particularly on waste collection, transport, storage, treatment and disposal. Thus, policies are made on waste segregation at source and waste minimization wherein the 3 Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle) and composting are promoted to lessen the amount of waste especially organic waste going to disposal sites. The common segregation of household wastes to biodegradable, non-biodegradable and recyclable waste ensures the removal of organic waste from the waste stream. A good method of reducing or recycling organic waste is through composting where garden waste, manure, leftover food and liquid sewage are broken down by various types of microorganisms resulting to a valuable resource compost, a soil conditioner. Compost can be made by building a pile consisting of alternate layers of soil, manure and organic waste and left untended (passive composting) or added with lime and minerals, aerated and the temperature monitored (active composting). It can also be produced rapidly through vermicomposting using redworms or earthworms and moistened bedding materials such as papers, cardboards, leaves and sawdust. Such composting techniques can be done in an area like a garden or in a container indoors for a home-based or household composting. The concept of household composting has been greatly encouraged by national and local authorities to reduce waste going into the waste stream. Several simple and complex composting techniques are already introduced in our country depending on the available materials, economic returns, efficiency and other factors. One of the newly-introduced techniques is the Takakura Home Method (THM). It has many positive characteristics such as simple methodology, indoor use, low energy requirement, portable, rapid waste degradation, no bad odors if in good condition, low cost production and sustainable by using locally available materials. The Takakura Home Method (THM) is a composting method that can be used at the individual household level in urban areas. It was developed by Mr. Koji Takakura from the Japanese JPEC Company. JPEC worked in partnership with The Kitakyushu Initiative Network (KIN) of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for the Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) and Surabaya, Indonesia City Councils and the Kitakyushu International Techno-Cooperative Association (KITA) in Kitakyushu City, Japan in developing the method extensively. The Takakura Home Method uses native organisms (NM) for composting that is cultured and fermented from locally available materials such as fresh fruits, vegetable peels, coconut wine, brown sugar, rice bran and rice husks. It is applied on a household level by using baskets with holes, mixing the waste and NM starter and covered with husk pillow and cloth. The method can also be applied for composting market wastes in a larger area. Since 2000, the Kitakyushu Initiative for a Clean Environment (KI), a programme under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission (UNESCAP) in partnership with the Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES), Ministry of Environment, Japan and the local government of Kitakyushu City, Japan, has been actively promoting the replication of successful policies and local initiatives on urban environmental management such as the Takakura Home Method in Asia and the Pacific region. It introduced the composting technology in Bago City, Negros Occidental, Philippines as a demonstration project on Solid Waste Management as a Social Enterprise: A Community-Based 3R Approaches. After the National Consultative Workshop in Bago City last April 2008, it was conceptualized to introduce the Takakura Home Method in Cebu City the following month, May 2008, through a one-day orientationtraining. The activity was organized by the Cebu City Government in partnership with the Pagtambayayong Foundation, Inc., and Institute of Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) with participants from homeowners associations, local officials and enforcers. It generated a lot of interest and subsequent trainings were done through the Patambayayong Foundation for other homeowners associations, non-government organizations (NGOs), schools and an indigenous minority group, the Badjaos. Presently, there are constant inquiries on THM and once the technology is widely promoted in communities and social sectors, it is expected to cultivate environmental consciousness, behavioral changes and improvement on the environmental condition of a city. He said each person in Cebu City generates at least 500 grams daily, and 250 grams of this is biodegradable. Tempe- Indonesian food made up of soya Jaggery- unrefined sugar Salt fermentation *The fermenting solutions are ready when a layer of mould forms on top. The mixture should smell sweet-sour and of alcohol. If it smells strange or bad, discard and do again. Composting

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Maintain the moisture content of the seed compost at 40%-60%. High moisture content will inhibit fermentation, resulting in offensive odours. If moisture is too wet (this can happen with large)amounts of vegetable scraps), add orange, onion or garlic peel or bits of paper. If steam rises while the content is being stirred, it indicates that the fermentation is progressing well, with the temperature reaching 40-50C. Fermentation slows down if the temperature is low. To raise the temperature: place the container inside a cardboard box or polystyrene container with holes; or put a plastic bottle of hot water in the container.

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Using semi-mature compost (which has not fully decomposed) can damage plant roots because the fermentative microorganisms are still active and will emit gas and organic acids.

Using compost > Spread the compost on the field, and plough it to a depth of about 20cm. > Spread compost over soil, after planting crops. >Bury compost to a depth of 20cm around

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