YCOMP School Composting Manual 2011-2012

2011-2012
YCOMP: School Composting Manual
Vineeta Nangia and Matt Ostrow YCOMP: Youth Composting Organization for the Massachusetts' Populace
2011 YCOMP: Youth Composting Organization for Massachusetts Populace
Table of Contents
Section One: General Information Who are we? What is our mission statement? What do we do? What bins do we provide? Why should you compost? What is the purpose of this manual? Section Two: The Basics of Composting What is composting? What are the different types of composting? What is finished compost? What are the nutrient cycles behind composting? What are the benefits of composting? Why is composting specifically good for schools? What materials can and cannot be composted? Section Three: How does my school get started? Propose the idea Find a core group of people Other essential people Budget Section Four: Implementing the Compost System Setting up the composting process: checklist Materials needed for compost system: checklist The actual composting process at schools: checklist Section Five: Maintaining Bin Health Is my bin healthy? Temperature Moisture Odor Section Six: Other Fundraising Publicity Compost Week 2|Page
Section 1: General Information

Who are we? Our organization is called YCOMP: Youth Composting Organization for the Massachusetts' Populace. We are a youth based organization geared towards promoting composting in school, home, and town environments. We believe that we can make a difference by combining education about waste management and sustainability with compost bins and services at a reduced price to consumers in Massachusetts. What is our mission statement? We aim to promote composting and waste management awareness as means to increase environmental responsibility; our efforts focus on education, advocacy, and implementation powered by youth-volunteerism throughout the state of Massachusetts. What do we do? We travel across the state educating individuals, businesses, schools, and towns about the environmental benefits and process of composting. We sell compost bins at a reduced price and help establish composting programs throughout the state. We hope that the combination of education and distribution can raise the amount of composting done in Massachusetts. What bins do we provide? We offer bins available through the Massachusetts' state contract FAC61, which allows for the purchase of reduced price compost bins and other sustainable resources from a specified list of manufacturers. Specifically, two styles of bins are available through the MassDEP program: the Earth Machine and the New Age Composter. The benefits of these two bins include easy assembly, resistance of rodents, and the ease of aerobic composting. Both bins are made from a minimum of 50% post-consumer recycled plastic collected or processed in Massachusetts. The main differences between the two bin types are size and design. the New Age Composter has a twenty-four cubic feet capacity while the Earth Machine has a ten cubic feet capacity. Additionally, the New Age Composter has holes in the cover to allow moisture to get in and a cone-shaped floor that aerates from below. Why should you compost? Getting a school community to encourage composting is the first big step towards a greener earth. Education starts with the youth, who will grow up with a "green" mindset. Composting provides many environmental, economic, and community benefits. Moreover, many YCOMP services ranging from printable posters to information sheets to presentationsare free. What is the purpose of this manual? 3|Page
This manual is designed to: 1. educate schools about the basics of composting and as well as its importance and benefits 2. provide an option to help schools reduce their waste 3. outline and ease the process of a composting program at a school
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Section Two: The Basics of Composting

What is composting? Composting is the natural decomposition of organic material, or matter capable of decay. In order to create mature compost, the matter must decay at high temperatures; this ensures pathogens are destroyed. What are the different types of composting? On-Site Composting On-site composting is conducted on premise for schools, businesses, and other small-quantity generators of organic waste. The entire composting process, from the addition of organic materials to the decomposition and maturation of these materials, occurs at the location where the compostable materials are collected. Off-Site Composting Off-site composting can be compared to trash collection. Compostable materials are not kept on premise to be composted at a conveniently located bin. Instead, materials are taken to a composting facility. Off-site composting is a good option with large-quantity generators of organic waste, including entire towns, etc. Worm Composting Worm composting takes place in small containers or bins filled with worms, which will catalyze the compost process. Worm composting can be done all year-round due to the small space the containers occupy and the lack of odor. Worm composting can also be done indoors. For these reasons, it is a good option for apartment buildings, offices, etc. Note: For use at schools, on-site composting is the best composting method. Worm composting may also be considered. What is finished compost? Compost is the dark brown or black organic product that results from the composting process. Mature compost contains a material called humus, a stable, soil-like material created from the heated combination of organic material and bulking agents such as paper, leaves, etc. Finished compost can be used for the following: as a soil supplement to grow plants as mulch for trees and shrubs as a fertilizer for vegetables, flowers and grass to retain moisture in soil 5|Page
What are the nutrient cycles behind composting? Nitrogen cycle High protein materials in the compost undergo the nitrogen cycle to yield the finished compost. As the high protein material in the compost bin decomposes, it releases nitrogen. Bacteria then convert these forms of nitrogen into forms that plants can use. The plants use the nitrogen present in the compost to grow and are consumed by humans and animals. The following are main steps of the nitrogen cycle: Fixation: The organic nitrogen released from the decomposing material is converted into a more chemically reactive form that can be used by living organisms. This conversion or fixation is generally carried out by free living or symbiotic bacteria, lightning, and ultraviolet radiation. The bacteria release the enzyme nitrogenase, which combines with hydrogen to produce ammonia. Nitrification: In this step, the ammonia produced by fixation is oxidized to nitrites and nitrates by certain types of bacteria. This process provides the energy for the cycle to take place. Denitrification and Ammonification: In this step, the nitrates and ammonia are absorbed from the soil by plants and converted back to organic nitrogen. This step completes the nitrogen cycle. The conversion of nitrates into nitrogen gas by bacteria is known as denitrification. The anerobic oxidation of ammonia and nitrites into nitrogen gas is known as ammonification.
Carbon Cycle The microbes that convert waste into finished compost need carbon material as an energy source. Most of the materials placed into the compost bin contains carbon. However, wood and leaves contain the highest amount of carbon and should be placed in the compost bin. Carbon is part of all living things as well as oceans, air, and rocks. It moves from the atmosphere to plants. In the atmosphere, carbon exists as carbon dioxide. Through the process of photosynthesis, plants take in carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide is converted to organic carbon and moves to animals who consume the plants and other animals. Animals and plants then release carbon dioxide back into the atmosphere when they respire. Additionally, when plants and animals decompose, carbon is released into the ground forming fuels such as coal or oil. When these fuels are burned, the carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. What are the benefits of composting? Environmental benefits of composting include: composting reduces the amount of organic material sent to the landfill or incinerator with the reduction of incineration of matter, less methane and carbon dioxide is released into the environment 6|Page
the use of compost results in the reduction of plant diseases and pests less/no chemical fertilizers are needed when compost is used to grow pants an increased crop yield results from compost use
Economic benefits of composting include: finished compost can be sold for a profit; mature compost has been sold for as much as $100 per a ton lesser cost to manage waste; trash collection becomes cheaper
Community benefits of composting include: community unites behind a common cause community members become educated about sustainability the community shifts towards a "greener" mindset
Why is composting specifically good for schools? the school's waste output will be reduced the school community (and youth) will be educated about sustainability and composting the finished compost can be used for landscaping projects at the school
What materials can and cannot be composted? Materials that can be composted vegetables fruits clean, unprinted paper cardboard rolls coffee grounds and filters cotton rags eggshells shredded newspaper tea bags Materials that cannot be composted and reason why dairy products o dairy products can cause bad odors in the school environment and attract insects fats, grease, oil o fats, grease, and oil can cause bad odors in the school environment and attract insects meat 7|Page
o fish
meat can cause bad odors in the school environment and attract insects
o fish can cause bad odors in the school environment and attract insects diseased/ chemically treated lawn trimmings, plants, leaves, twigs, etc. o may transfer disease and chemicals into the compost
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Section Three: How does my school get started?

(Adapted from School Composting: A Manual for Connecticut Schools)
Propose the idea The idea to start a composting program at a school can come from anywhere: the students, the parents, the teachers, or the administration. The key aspect to creating a successful composting program is to develop the idea and realize that there will be both successes and failures along the way. Find a core group of people Once the idea of a composting system has been proposed, support must be garnered. This support should come foremost from the students and the administration. Arrange a meeting with the administration to discuss the possibility of a compost system. Once the administration is on board, a core group of people must be found. This group will be in charge of developing, promoting and carrying out the school composting system and should meet on a regular basis. These meetings can range from once a week to once a month, depending on the complexities of the program and the availability of members. A school-wide compost system will affect all members of the school community. Therefore, it is important to include all members of the community and ensure they know their thoughts and concerns are being heard. Key members of such a group include: An administrative member A Green Team Teacher o The Green Team is a state-wide environmental club geared towards kindergarten through grade twelve. The Green Team focuses on education and aiding teachers and students in helping the environment through waste reduction, reuse, recycling, composting, energy conservation, and pollution prevention. o The Green Team teacher will be the member to order the bin(s) when needed. o If your school does not have a Green Team teacher, no worries. There are a few easy steps in which a teacher can become a member. They are: Go to the Green Team website. Submit a completed registration by form, fax, mail, or on-line. The teacher will then receive a Green Team classroom kit, which contains a program guide, poster, Green Team achievement stickers, lesson plans and other resources. The teacher will then able to order a bin available through MA state contract FAC61. 9|Page
Other teachers from each department Student representatives from each grade level at the school Parent Representatives
Other Essential People While the following people do not need to be part of the core group (although they can be), it is essential to maintain contact with them throughout the process of creating and implementing a program. Town Superintendant School Board Board of Health o Complying with your towns health regulations is essential for a composting project PTO o Involving the PTO is a good way to gain parent support and help with the composting program o An article in the PTO newsletter can help to publicize the composting program and spread awareness. Town Recycling Coordinator o The Town Recycling Coordinator is essential for providing knowledge about recycling, waste management, composting, and sustainability o He/she will be able to help determine what bin is best, how many bins are needed, and other logistics of the composting system Kitchen Staff o The kitchen staff is an essential component of the program. While students will be composting their organic materials from lunches, the kitchen staff will be doing the same with food items used to make lunches. o Ensure the needs of the kitchen staff are being heard and met. Discuss what materials can be composted and the best method for collecting food preparation scraps. o Ask what you can do to help to make their job easier and ease the process of collecting food preparation scraps. Custodial Staff o The cooperation and guidance of the custodial staff is essential for implementing the composting program and ensuring the success. o The custodial staff can provide valuable knowledge about a good location of the bin. o Depending on the program, the custodial staff can receive shipments of bulk items such as leaves or hay and work with students to collect food scraps, weigh them, and transport them to the designated bin.
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Budget Composting is relative cheap and one should plan for a budget of approximately 500.00 dollars. Most of the equipment like gloves, rakes, shovels, barrels, bags to line the barrels, and cleaning materials can be easily obtained from any hardware store or major discount chains (i.e. Job Lot) for a few hundred dollars. The two major items that need to purchased are the thermometer and the scale. The school should plan to spend around 200-250 dollars for these two items.
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Section Four: Implementing the Composting System

(Adapted from School Composting: A Manual for Connecticut Schools)
The next section of the composting manual focuses on setting up the composting process and the actual process itself. Rather than complicate the process with long, wordy paragraphs, we provided simple, easy checklists. If any assistance is needed, a YCOMP representative can be reached to answer any questions or concerns at 339-364-8459. Setting Up the Composting Process: Checklist Decide on a type of bin. The two bins endorsed by YCOMP and provided under MA state contract FAC61 are the New Age Composter and the Earth Machine. Details about both are listed previously. Order Bin. o The New Age Composter can be ordered directly by the Green Team Teacher through the Green Team Website under the "Request Materials" tab. o On behalf of the school, a YCOMP member will order the Earth Machine from a designated manufacturer listed under MA State Contract FAC61. Designate location of bin. (Seek opinion of School Administration, Custodial Staff, and School Superintendent.) o The best location is in a place not subject to high winds or direct sunlight all day, but rather, receives sunlight for half the day. o The bin should also be easily accessible. o The bin should be kept away from areas where there is a lot of people and movement such as sports fields. Set Up Bin o All bins come with an easy-to-follow manual complete with pictures. However, if more assistance is needed, a YCOMP representative can be reached at 339-3648459. Designate certain trash barrels in the cafeteria to be used for the collection of compostable materials. o To expand the program later, smaller countertop bins can be ordered through MA State Contract FAC61 and placed in places such as the teachers' lounge, classrooms, etc. where a lot of eating is done. Place fliers, posters, and other educational materials about composting throughout the school, especially in the cafeteria. Especially important is information about what can and cannot be composted. Educational materials are available through YCOMP. To request materials, email president@ycomp.org. 12 | P a g e
If YCOMP has not presented at the school, have a formalized presentation about composting basics and the composting system. Designate at least three to five students and one adult to be the people who do the actual composting. This group can work on a rotating schedule. Acquire Needed Materials (See Checklist Below) Begin Composting!
Materials Needed for Composting System: Checklist The items listed below comprise a basic list of materials needed for a composting system. A school may find it needs some, all, or more than the items listed. Compost Bin Barrels located in cafeteria o Barrels should be lined with plastic bags to ease clean-up o Barrels should be clearly designated with labels for compostable materials o Barrels should be equipped with wheels for easy transportation Bulking Materials (leaves, newspaper, hay, wood chips) o bulking materials need to be constantly replenished and available Scale Pitchfork Shovel Work Gloves Compost Thermometer Material for Compost Records o Clipboard o Binder o Paper o Writing Utensils Materials to clean pitchfork, shovel, etc. The Actual Composting Process at Schools: Checklist Collect Food Scraps from Designated Bins in Cafeteria o If program has been expanded, the group will need to collect food scraps from smaller bins located around the school. The easiest method to do so is to carry around one trash barrel fitted with a plastic garbage bag and wheels and deposit food scraps into it. o Food scraps must be collected everyday to ensure a lack of odor and insects. Weigh Scraps o To calculate the total weight of the food scraps, place each trash barrel on the scale. o Subtract the weight of the actual bin from the total weight. 13 | P a g e
Record final amount. This number can later be used to show: amount of material not thrown away the ratio of food scrap weight to final compost weight if more compost bins will later be needed to meet output Bring Scraps to Compost Bin o Because barrels are equipped with wheels, the group just needs to wheel scraps out to the bin. Measure Temperature of Compost Pile o Make sure to measure the center of the compost pile. o Record temperature. o Temperature will indicate health of bin. See "Maintaining Bin Health" section. Transfer Scraps o The easier way to do this is to pick the bag up from the barrel and dump into the bin. The pitchfork will come in handy here to move around the food scraps. Ensure Health of Compost Bin o This includes maintaining a proper temperature, enough oxygen, and a balance of materials o See "Maintaining Bin Health" section o Layer the top of the bin with bulking material after completing other steps to ensure health o A properly balanced bin will retain no odor and will not attract animals Clean pitchfork, thermometer, etc. Clean barrel if necessary, bring back to cafeteria o o
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Section Five: Maintaining Bin Health

Is My Bin Healthy? A healthy bin is a balanced bin. The most essential component is maintaining a balanced bin is the nitrogen (green) to carbon (brown) ratio. To ensure the health of the bin, a few factors should be kept in account: Temperature The pile should be hottest and the center. For decomposition to occur, the compost pile needs to maintain a temperature between 110-160 F. If the pile is not hot enough and the contents are dry, add water and turn the pile. If the contents are wet and smell fine, but the pile is cooler than expected, more nitrogen needs to be added to the pile. Mix in "greens" including grass and more food scraps. If the pile gets too hot, make sure to turn it and add brown carbon materials such as dead leaves, straw, newspaper, etc. Moisture Bin should be kept moist at all times. If the contents are too dry but smell fine, try adding more bulking materials to the bin. Also add water while turning the pile. If the contents are too wet but there is no smell, add bulking material and turn pile. If the contents are wet and smell rancid, turn the pile and a lot of bulking material. Ensure no fats, oils, meats, etc. are entering the compost pile. Odor A healthy bin will not smell. If the bin starts to smell and attract animals, ensure no meat or fats are entering the pile. If some are present, cover the bin with a thick cloth to prevent the odor from escaping. If meats and oils are not present, ensure the compost is well covered with a layer to bulking material.
If you experience any other problems, a YCOMP Representative can be reached at president@ycomp.org or 339-364-8459.
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Section Six: Other

Fundraising In order to help garner funds to benefit your composting program, here are some ideas to help raise money for YCOMP to help benefit your school: Sell Equal Exchange Coffee and Tea Products (composting coffee grinds helps produce great quality compost!) 40% of the proceeds of the purchases will go directly to your school, with no money going directly towards YCOMP as an organization. Email president@ycomp.org to get catalogs and order forms. Make purchases through ycomp.org of composting-related items on greenfundraiser.com! A portion of the profits (30-40%) will go straight to your school if you send us receipts of the items you ordered! Please use this link: http://www.greenfundraiserstore.com/index.php?option=com_virtuemart&page=shop.bro wse&category_id=24&Itemid=133&vmcchk=1&Itemid=133 Sell flowers and gardening-related items to help encourage composting! Any typical fundraising ideas (from bake sales to car washes to raffles) will work to help improve the environmentally sustainable practices of your community!
Publicity Use YCOMP Resources to publicize your efforts: Post on the YCOMP Facebook page facebook.com/ycomp Tag SharonYCOMP on Twitter E-mail an update to president@ycomp.org to be posted on ycomp.org Use the posters and informational pamphlets on ycomp.org Get articles and interviews from local newspapers Get a press release posted through your school Take a video of your efforts and post in on YouTube. E-mail president@ycomp.org to get it posted on the YCOMP YouTube account Write an article for our monthly newsletter. E-mail president@ycomp.org
Compost Week Compost Week is a two week compost and waste audit program designed by YCOMP. What impact could your school have on preserving the environment if they just composted their fruits and vegetables? 16 | P a g e
Week 1: Waste Audit (measure waste output) Week 2: Compost Week (compare waste output reduction to amount of materials composted) Instructions for Waste Audit Week: 1. Have a volunteer weigh the amount of trash accumulated in the cafeteria at the end of each day 2. For more useful data, weigh the amount of trash accumulated during each lunch period. Checklist Who will empty and measure the waste in the trash cans at the end of each lunch period?
Instructions for Compost Week:

1. Have a presentation about what composting is and how the week will work during each
2.
3.
4. 5.
6. 7. 8.
lunch period. Keep presentations to under 2 minutes and provide a list for people to sign up with their email addresses for more information. Make sure to assign a youth volunteer for each lunch to coordinate announcements and bin usage. Place trash cans in cafeterias with signs that say fruit and vegetable scraps ONLY. Repeat these short instructions during each lunch period for the week. Provide enough bins to contain estimated output. At the end of each days lunch, empty trash cans and weigh the total output of compostable materials as well as the output of all waste in the regular trash cans. Store the compostable materials in containers to be dealt with at the end of the week or have a daily pick up of compostable materials to be delivered to an appropriate site. Coordinate with adult and other volunteers about how to properly compost the materials. Also, if your school has a compost bin or composting system, see if you can include the additional output. Have posters up around the school with composting fast facts At the end of the week, show the total weight of compostable materials and quantify its impact on the environment as well as projections for the future. Compare these values to the previous weeks waste audit and see how much waste output you have reduced. Provide more composting-related materials (MassDEP, etc.) and mention involvement with YCOMP to better the environmentally-sustainable practices of the community Have a representative evaluate the project by using the Compost Week Evaluation on ycomp.org Ask any questions throughout the week by emailing president@ycomp.org Checklist
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Who will make announcements on Monday and Friday? Who are the representatives from each lunch block to make a daily announcement? Where will the trash cans be placed? Who will empty the bins and weigh the materials? Who will pickup and compost the materials? Who will make and put up informational posters? Who will provide informational resources on Friday? Who will fill out a Compost Week Evaluation?
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Works Cited
"Backyard or Onsite Composting." Epa.gov. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 July 2011. Web. 3 Sept. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/backyard.htm>. "Basic Information." Epa.gov. United States Environmental Protection Agency, 26 July 2011. Web. 2 Sept. 2011. <http://www.epa.gov/osw/conserve/rrr/composting/basic.htm>. "Composting Problems." Composting101.com. Sparky Boy Enterprises, 2006. Web. 30 Sept. 2011. <http://www.composting101.com/troubleshooting.html>. Dax, Randee, Hayden A., and Daniel B. "What Is the Carbon Cycle?" Thinkquest.org. Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation. Web. 9 Sept. 2011. <http://library.thinkquest.org/11226/why.htm>. Friend, Duane, Holly Johnson, and Martha Smith. "Building Your Compost Pile." University of Illinois. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. <http://web.extension.illinois.edu/homecompost/building.html>. "The Nitrogen Cycle." 23 Feb. 2011. Web. 2 Sept. 2011. <http://users.rcn.com/jkimball.ma.ultranet/BiologyPages/N/NitrogenCycle.html>. United States. State of Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Recycling. School Composting: A Manual for Connecticut Schools. Ed. Kathy Alexander and Margaret Enkler. By Paula Coughlin. Comp. Virginia Walton. Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection, 2002. Web. 14 Sept. 2011. <http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/compost/compost_pdf/schmanual.pdf>.
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Contact Information
Please use the information below if you have any comments or questions president@ycomp.org 339-364-8459
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YCOMP School Composting Manual 2011-2012

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YCOMP School Composting Manual 2011-2012

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2011-2012

YCOMP: School Composting Manual

Section 1: General Information

Section Two: The Basics of Composting

Section Three: How does my school get started?

Section Four: Implementing the Composting System

Section Five: Maintaining Bin Health

Section Six: Other

Instructions for Compost Week:

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