Guest guest Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Just wondering what people do with their raw food waste. I've been putting it in the yard waste bin and letting the city pick it up. But I'd like to make compost out of it for my small garden. Somebody recommended I get a ComposTumbler, but they are pricey and I have read some negative reviews of it. I'm sure I will need to enclose it in some way, otherwise there will be a smell and it will attract animals. Any tips would be much appreciated. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Mark, I had set up two compost bins in our back yard. I purchased large plastic waste bins. I drilled lots of holes in them, either cut out a big hole in the bottom or drilled more holes there, then dug holes in the ground to set the base of the bins 5 inches or more into the ground, then proceeded to fill them up with compost. The holes help to air them out. They also let animals smell what is in there, which may invite them to chew their way through. That is one drawback. You can skip the holes on the sides and just put holes on the bottom (and perhaps the first couple inches on the sides). This allows worms to come and go. They help break down the compost and add their castings. Avoiding the holes in the sides also allows the bin to warm up more, especially over the winter months, which helps the compost to break down faster. The lid allows you to open it easily to stir the compost and remove some when needed. Having two bins allows you to be filling one while the other is breaking down the older stuff. A bin with wheels will allow you to move it to another location to dump the compost on a garden, etc. You can also build a wooden bin with a hinged top. The heavier bin would help keep animals out. You wouldn't have to build a bottom, just the sides and lid. Cost-wise, you could likely find scrap lumber to use, even old windows, etc. Another option would be to build a raised bin with a slight slant and a spigot in the lowest corner. This allows you to periodically pour water in and pour out " worm juice " . There is probably information online about it. One concern from some is forcing the worms to live in the raised bins. The answer to this is to place a tube from the ground into the higher end of the bin allowing worms to find their way into the bin (they " choose " to participate). I wasn't gardening and my housemates couldn't keep up with all our compost, so we switched to the yard waste bin. I gave away my bins a couple years ago. Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 Thanks, Jeff! Another idea, which I was thinking about a few months ago and then promptly forgot about, is to turn it into alcohol and use it to fuel your car. I don't know how feasible it would be for a single household to buy or build a unit to distill the alcohol, but maybe a co-op could be formed for several households. I'd definitely be interested in something like this if it could save money and help the environment too (alcohol gas supposedly results in zero emissions). Check out this site: www.alcoholcanbeagas.com <http://www.alcoholcanbeagas.com/> Mark _____ On Behalf Of Jeff Rogers Saturday, October 18, 2008 1:26 PM Re: food waste, compost Mark, I had set up two compost bins in our back yard. I purchased large Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 HI Mark, You may want to look into worm bins. I don't have to deal with it, but that's what my landlord does with our food waste. It looks easy. Laurie , " mkh " <hovila wrote: > > Just wondering what people do with their raw food waste. I've been > putting it in the yard waste bin and letting the city pick it up. But > I'd like to make compost out of it for my small garden. Somebody > recommended I get a ComposTumbler, but they are pricey and I have read > some negative reviews of it. I'm sure I will need to enclose it in > some way, otherwise there will be a smell and it will attract animals. > Any tips would be much appreciated. > > Mark > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2008 Report Share Posted October 18, 2008 I bought two of the " green cone " composters--you can get them from the public utilities dept where they are partially subsidized by the city. You need to have the space to be able to install them outside (they have to be partially buried, about a foot and a half down). I use one while the other decomposes, then switch. I've been happy with the system. Almost ready to harvest the first batch, and it's amazing how much less trash is generated (about one shopping bag a month). Here's the info: http://www.seattle.gov/util/Services/Yard/Composting/SPU01_001997.asp --- On Sat, 10/18/08, mkh <hovila wrote: mkh <hovila food waste, compost Saturday, October 18, 2008, 12:40 PM Just wondering what people do with their raw food waste. I've been putting it in the yard waste bin and letting the city pick it up. But I'd like to make compost out of it for my small garden. Somebody recommended I get a ComposTumbler, but they are pricey and I have read some negative reviews of it. I'm sure I will need to enclose it in some way, otherwise there will be a smell and it will attract animals. Any tips would be much appreciated. Mark Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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