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 faxkpowell@kdheks.gov

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