HOUSEHOLD WASTE

MANAGEMENT
THROUGH
COMPOSTING

Takakura
Method

Materials:
1- sack Rice Husk (10Kg) = P 30
- sack Rice Bran (10Kg) = P50
100-ml Lacto-Pafi drink = P15
small jar Kimchi (optional) = P15
100-grams Mushroom = P35
1- bottle Yoghurt = P15
1-bottle Yakult = P5
100-ml molasses = P10
A handful natural bacteria from
decaying wood in the forest
1-cup coconut wine (Tuba) = P2
2-tablespoon activated yeast = P1
Some old compost (optional)
Total cost = P 178.00

An example of natural bacteria from decaying wood in the forest

Step by Step Procedure

1. Use a ration of 1:1 rice husk and rice bran by weight as your
compost seed or initial compost material. You can also add mudpress if available, based on Bago, Negros Occidental experience.
Sawdust and coarser electric planer shavings can also be used as
alternative materials. Pure rice bran or sawdust is not
recommended. Rice husk or coarse planer shavings provide better
aeration.
2. Mixed the rice husk and rice bran thoroughly in a flat surface like
concrete pavement to form a heap. If you have enough materials,
start with about 50kg for each material (rice husk and rice bran).
3. Put all the ingredients in a 15-liter pail (balde) half filled with water.
Use none chlorinated water. Rain water is recommended if available.
If chlorinated water is to be used, prepare the water in a pail, allow it
to stay uncovered for 3-4 days to allow the chlorine neutralize. Mix
the ingredients in the pail with water thoroughly.
4. Pour mixture slowly into the heap of the ricehull and rice bran with a
sprinkler or dipper.
5. Turn the heap thoroughly while slowly sprinkling the liquid mixture.
Add more of the liquid mixture until desired moisture content is
about 40%-60%. It should be not too dry and not too wet.
6. Test the moisture by taking a hand full of the mixture in your hand
and squeeze it tightly. The right consistency of the mixture should
form a clump when squeezed tightly, with no liquid dripping out of
the clump.

Use a ration of 1:1 rice husk and rice bran by weight as your compost
seed or initial compost material. You can also add mud-press if available,
based on Bago, Negros Occidental experience.

Mixed the rice husk and rice bran thoroughly in a flat surface like
concrete pavement to form a heap. If you have enough materials, start
with about 50kg for each material (rice husk and rice bran).

Cut or crush the mushroom and other ingredients while mixing them in
the pail with water thoroughly.

Tuba
Lacto-Papi
Kimchi
Yakult
Molasses
Mushroom
Yoghurt

Put all the ingredients in a 15-liter pail (balde) half filled with water. Use
none chlorinated water. Rain water is recommended if available. If
chlorinated water is to be used, prepare the water in a pail, allow it to stay
uncovered for 3-4 days to allow the chlorine neutralize. Mix the
ingredients in the pail with water thoroughly.

Turn the heap thoroughly while slowly sprinkling the liquid mixture. Add
more of the liquid mixture until desired moisture content is about 40%60%. It should be not too dry and not too wet.

Cover the entire heap with cloth or empty sacks to allow aeration,
preventing flies to get into the compost, and prevent maggots to form.
Put weights around the heap to prevent the cloth to be blown away.

Step by Step Procedure

7. Cover the entire heap with cloth or empty sacks to allow aeration,
preventing flies to get into the compost, and prevent maggots to
form. Put weights around the heap to prevent the cloth to be
blown away.
8. Turn the heap thoroughly every 24 hours for 7-days at about the
same time the compost mix was prepared. The temperature in the
heap will rise to about 50-60C , an indication aerobic
fermentation is taking place. On the 3rd or 4th day, whitish
substance like cotton will appear on the surface and would
develop steam like smoke when you turn the heap.
9. After 7 days, start adding fresh biodegradable waste from the
kitchen such as vegetable, left-over food and leaves/grasses from
your garden or yard. Turn the heap every time fresh
biodegradable waste are added in order to cover the fresh wastes
with the old ones. Shred or shop the material into small pieces;
the finer the better and easier to decompose
10.Be sure to maintain the average moisture to about 40-60%. When
adding slightly dried material use a 1:1 ratio (one part old
compost to one part fresh biodegradable material). For materials
with higher moisture content, like fresh vegetable waste from the
kitchen with about 80-90% moisture use 1:2 or 1:3 ratios (waste
material : compost).
11.Turn the compost mix every time you add new or fresh waste
materials. Be sure to cover the fresh garbage with compost mix.

Turn the heap thoroughly every 24 hours for 7-days at about the same
time the compost mix was prepared. The temperature in the heap will
rise to about 50-60C , an indication aerobic fermentation is taking place.
On the 3rd or 4th day, whitish substance like cotton will appear on the
surface and would develop steam like smoke when you turn the heap.

After 7 days, start adding fresh biodegradable waste from the kitchen
such as vegetable, left-over food and leaves/grasses from your garden or
yard. Turn the heap every time fresh biodegradable waste are added in
order to cover the fresh wastes with the old ones. Shred or shop the
material into small pieces; the finer the better and easier to decompose

Biodegradable waste that can be fed to your

compost mix
1. Fruit and vegetable peeling (banana, mango,
papaya, chayote, squash, oranges, and many
others)
2. All kinds of leafy vegetables
3. Over ripe fruits and vegetables
4. Left-over food
5. Crushed egg-shells and crab shell
6. Cut grasses from the lawn
7. Dried leaves and small twigs
8. Fish gills and entrails

Turn the compost mix every time you add new or fresh waste materials.
Be sure to cover the fresh garbage with compost mix.

A perforated laundry basket can be used lined with a sack fastened by

nylon thread or by using a glue-gun kit. Cover the compost mix with
cloth or empty sack and tie it with a string or straw twine to hold the

Step by Step Procedure

12.In order to produce large quantity of compost, it is recommended to
make one heap everyday for 7-days. In this manner, you will be
adding new waste to one of the heaps everyday for seven days, then
start adding new waste starting again with the first heap.
13.Harvesting: If you wish to harvest compost, stop adding fresh
garbage and allow the compost to decompose completely for 3-4
weeks . The compost will be dark brown or black and will cool
down. When harvesting, take only about 1/3 to 2/3 from the heap and
continue adding fresh waste to the remaining compost material. The
compost is ready for use as soil conditioner for your vegetable or
flower garden. When added to the soil, allow 2-3 days before
planting.
14.To dry the compost, spread it on the floor and allow it to air-dry for 23 hours before storing in sacks. Use a rake to turn and even-off the
compost to shorten drying time. If you want to sell the compost, it is
good idea to sieve the compost to a desired consistency through a
wire or nylon screen before storing them in sacks. Stored compost
in sacks, allow the organisms to breath.
15.The compost as finish product contains live natural microorganism.
When new waste materials are added, the organism becomes active
again to increase the volume of your compost.
16.Collect the coarser compost after sifting , put it back in the container
and start adding fresh garbage for your second generation compost.

To dry the compost, spread it on the floor or dry pavement ,like a garage,
and allow it to air-dry for 2-3 hours before storing in sacks. Use a rake to
turn and even-off the compost to shorten drying time. If you want to sell
the compost, it is a good idea to sieve the compost to a desired
consistency through a wire or nylon screen before storing them in sacks.
Stored compost in sacks, allow the micro organisms to breath.

If you want to sell the compost, it is good idea to sieve the compost to a
desired consistency through a wire or nylon screen before storing them

Stored compost in sacks, allow the microorganisms to breath.

Harvesting your
compost

Air drying

Sifting

Storing

The compost as finish product contains live natural microorganism.

When new waste materials are added, the microorganism becomes active
again to increase the volume of your compost.

To produce large quantity of compost, make 7- heaps or more. In this

manner, you will be adding fresh garbage to one or more heaps
everyday for seven days, then start adding new waste starting with the

Tips in maintaining your compost

Add the first load of fresh household garbage only after the 7-days
incubation period of the compost medium.
Add fresh garbage not more than about half the volume of the newly
prepared compost medium and there after as starter. Slowly
increase amount of waste material subsequently while observing rate
of decomposition
Maintain moisture of the mixture at about 40% to 60%. If it appears to
be too wet, add crushed leaves to achieve the right amount of
moisture.
Keep the compost mixture away from direct sunlight and rain.
Cover the compost with sack or old cloth to prevent flies. Flies will
allow the formation of maggots.
Dont throw your compost when maggots or other insects got into
the compost. Maggots and other insects will eventually die and
became part of the compost when the mixture become hot and with
right amount of moisture is maintained.
Its normal for the compost become cold. Thats a condition that the
bacteria are resting and ready to be harvested. It should become hot
again when fresh garbage is added. When the container is almost
full, stop adding fresh garbage. Allow 3-4 weeks for the compost to
mature before harvesting.
Harvest only about to 2/3 of the total volume, but leave about 3-4
kilos of the compost mix to continue the production of compost.

Tips in maintaining your compost

Spread the compost in a pavement or any flat surface not expose to
direct sunlight when harvesting. Air dry the compost for half a day
and use wire screen to get fine compost. Pack the finish product in
plastic bags, especially if you intend to sell the compost as organic
fertilizer.
Air dried compost are still live compost with the bacteria dormant.
When fresh garbage is added, the bacteria becomes active again.
For mass production, prepare seven mixture or more. Add fresh
garbage only ones a week in one of the mixture.
Recommended containers and tool sfor household composting:
Plastic basket with perforated sides and with wide opening; line the
inside of the basket with sack material to allow aeration, attached
the lining using a glue gun or sew them with nylon string. (18 top
diameter X 14 high)
Medium size basin without perforation (22 top diameter X 9-1/2
high) or a Large basin (30 top diameter X 10 high)
Use a strong wooden ladle or fabricate a small wooden paddle long
enough to reach the bottom of the container when turning your
compost.
For chopping your waste materials, use a grass-cutter or a bolo.
For commercial production, a shredding machine would be an
advantage.

Advance Techniques Using a Shredding

Machine to Produce Large Quantity of
Compost
Mix new or fresh garbage with mother compost and
store them in ventilated crates for 2-3 days
Feed the compost mixture into the shredding
machine
Pile the shredded compost mix on the floor and turn
the compost everyday for 7 days
On the 8th day introduce enough quantity of vermin
Harvest the vermin and compost after 2-3 weeks
Compost is ready for use in the field