The Federal Environmental Protection

Authority

Guidelines on Composting

2004
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
These guidelines explain the process of composting and techniques for using it in
solid waste management. The guidelines describe some of the benefits of composting
and characteristics of that waste which can be composted. Composting methods are
briefly outlined and discussed herein under.
 Table of Contents
Page

1. Introduction...........................................................................................................4

1.1.What is compost?.................................................................................................4

1.2.What is compost used for?...................................................................................4

2. Composting for recycling and disposing of waste......................................4

2.1 When is composting a suitable option?................................................................4

2.2 What constitutes suitable waste for compost?.....................................................4

3. Composting methods...........................................................................................5

3.1 The composting process.......................................................................................5

3.1.1 Aerobic composting......................................................................................5

3.1.2 Windrow composting....................................................................................6

3.1.3 Other options.................................................................................................6

3.1.4 Vermicompostion..........................................................................................6

4. Assessing the quality of compost.....................................................................7

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 I

1. Introduction

1.1.What is compost?

Compost is the product of natural degradation of organic material by the action of

bacteria, fungi and other organisms usually in the presence of an adequate air
supply. Compost is a humus-like material, which is relatively stable, odour free
and not attractive to flies.

1.2.What is compost used for?

Compost is mainly used as a soil conditioner. It is used to increase the organic

content of soils and also improve the soil structure. The addition of compost
makes the soil take the form of crumbs rather than fine powder, so that the soil
is more resistant to wind and water erosion, able to retain more water and easier
to till. Compost also provides trace nutrients and small quantities of the basic
plant nutrients-nitrate and phosphates. It improves the usefulness of artificial
fertilizers by holding them in the soil enabling the plants to benefit from them
over a longer period.

2. Composting for recycling and disposing of waste

2.1 When is composting a suitable option?

Composting is a suitable option when three important criteria are met.

 The waste itself is suitable (see below).

 The organic portion of waste can be collected separate from non-organic
material at source, or easily/economically sorted from a mixed stream.
 There is a market, or potential for a market, for compost.

2.2 What constitutes suitable waste for compost?

 Most organic (of plant or animal origin) materials that will decay easily are
suitable for compost.

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 1

  Garden wastes: grass cuttings, non-woody garden pruning, leaves, flowers,
and vegetable remains.

 Kitchen wastes: vegetable peelings and leaves, fruit peelings and cores,
cooked table scraps, tea leaves and bags, egg shells, stale bread.

 General: paper and cardboards, sawdust and wood shavings, animal manure,
wood fire ash, seaweed.

 Materials which you should not add to a compost heap: kikuyu grass, woody
garden clippings, pine needles, rose cuttings and other cuttings with thorns,
seeds, bulbs, runners, garden wastes sprayed with pesticides, toilet waste or
septic tank sludge, diseased animal carcasses and diseased plants, anything
that does not decompose, e.g. metals, glass, plastics.

The carbon: nitrogen ration is critical in deciding the suitability of waste for
composting. Ideally the C: N ration will be 30: 1 to 35:1, to give a ratio in the
final compost of between 15:1 and 20:1 some typical values are:

Vegetable matter 24:1

Organic fraction of domestic waste 20:1
Night soil sludge 6:1

Higher final C: N rations can result in nitrogen levels in the soil being reduced as
the carbonaceous substrate continues to decompose.

3. Composting methods

3.1 The composting process

Composting can take place aerobically (in the presence of oxygen) or an

aerobically (in its absence). Aerobic decomposition is generally preferred as the
process is faster, produces an end product containing more nutrients and does not

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 2

 produce bad odours. Anaerobic decomposition will naturally take place when
waste is left covered or in a ditch where little or no air can reach it. Among
others methane is produced that can be used as energy source.

3.1.1 Aerobic composting

Most organic materials are broken down by bacteria and fungi, which rely on
most conditions and oxygen. Cellulose is broken down by actinomycetes and
this is a slower process. This process generates heat that can lead to the
temperature as high as 70 0c, which also serves to destroy unwanted things
including weeds, flies, larvae and some pathogens and parasites.

The composting process requires some moisture (ideally 40%). If waste is too
dry, decomposition will not take place, and if waste is too wet, insufficient air
will permeate through the waste and anaerobic decomposition will prevail. For
this reason night soil and other sludge require the addition of a bulking agent
(e.g. woodchips, sawdust or straw) to allow access for air and to reduce water
content.

3.1.2 Windrow composting

The simplest method of aerobic composting involves arranging waste in

elongated heaps up to 2m high, called windrows. These are periodically turned
(every other day initially) to ensure it is well aerated and that all the waste
spends some time in the middle at the higher temperatures. The windrows
must be sufficient in size to insulate themselves. This process can be
performed on a small scale manually or mechanised on a larger scale.
Moisture levels must be monitored and controlled in all situations.

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 3

3.1.3 Other options

Aerated static pile

In some composting plants, air is blown (or drawn) through the composting
material using blowers or vacuum pumps. Forced aeration systems often have
higher capital costs, and lower operation costs than windrow systems.

Dano cylinder
In this large digester, composting material is rotated in large cylinders for
aeration.

Tower digester
In a tower digester, waste is aerated and turned as it progressively falls down
one floor of many each day from the top of a tower.

Enclosed reactor systems

These systems allow close control over temperature, moisture, aeration and
mixture rates. They require high investment capital but can be useful for
complex waste mixtures and where space is limited.

3.1.4 Vermicompostion

Vermicomposting is the production of compost using worms and

microorganisms. Worms pass organic material through their gut and excrete
digested matter in ‘castings’ that are rich in plant nutrients. Certain worms are
particularly suited to digesting different wastes. Eisenia foetida or lumbricus
rubella worms are generally used for digesting organic waste as these thrive in
pure organic material.

Vermicomposting plants can be any size handling just a few kg per day up to
many tones. Large plants can contain may millions of worms. It is important
to recognize that vermicompost plants constitute small ecosystems, and as
such moisture and temperature levels need to be controlled, and the worms
need a steady supply of 'food'.

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 4

4. Assessing the quality of compost

A good compost shall meet the following criteria:

 contain no glass fragments or other visible foreign material
 have no objectionable odour
 contain at least 25% organic matter
 be stable-all microbiological processes should be complete
 contain low levels of heavy metal (Cu, Zn, Cd, Hg, and Pb)
 be able to pass through an 18mm mesh (course compost through 40mm mesh)
 have a moisture content below 35%
 have a final C:N ration of 29:1 or less.

Compost that satisfies the above stated criteria is more marketable. It is also
equally important that market creation for such compost is likely to be one of the
main determinants of the success and sustainability of this method of solid waste
management.

COMPOSTING GUIDELINE, FEPA, 2004 5