Wednesday Post

On Covid 19- the condition of Maharashtra state is worsening day by day. Only solace is cases in Mumbai city are reducing and recovery rate is also better as compared to the state, but cases outside Mumbai city ( areas which fall under Mumbai Metropolitan Region) are increasing very fast. The reason can be attributed to relaxation of lockdown conditions of travel between the areas of MMR.

Now coming to my other topic of the day: Friends, you must be aware that Waste Management is turning to be big issue, with many city corporations and municipalities, finding it challenging to find dumping space for the waste. Hence it is important that citizens start doing waste segregation and if possible composting as well.

Nowadays many big apartment complexes are setting up compost plants in their vicinity. Composting at home is also easy and can be done by anyone. Composting is nothing but using the decayed waste matter to create manure that can be used for growing plants and vegetables. There are many misconception about composting that is stopping people from taking this up. Few say it is dirty, while few other say that it stinks etc. I am listing below how we can go about it:

Setting up a compost bin– The basic idea of this bin is to keep collecting all wet and biodegradable waste in a container and allow it to work  its way to become compost. You may add few other things in it to help the composting action. Readymade compost bins are available in the market. They come as compost kit with bins, as well as compost material. All one has to do is follow the instructions provided. Most kits follow the same principle off with filter at bottom of the bin, on top of which the waste and the compost powder need to be added in layers, every day. The bin needs to be kept closed always. Only wet waste from kitchen should be added and not dry waste like paper and plastic. Once the bin is full, leave it closed for 15 to 20 days. The bin comes with a tap that allows you to collect the compost water, which can be used to water the plants in dilution.

After 15 days, the compost waste can be mixed with the sugeested ingredient to complete the composting process. If one is doing with one’s own bin, then find one large bin, and make a few holes in it for air & water circulations. Place a piece of paper at the bottom and add one layer of soil along with wood waste (saw dust), dry leaves or coco peat. Once the bin is full. Leave it for 30 to 60 days, mix it up once a while. You will soon get the perfect compost mixture and using the same planting can be started. The compost mixture is ready for use when it becomes earthy brown in colour and thick in texture.

The Process – It is better to find an outdoor space for the composting bin so that the air and sunlight can also help in the process. So, a terrace or a balcony is the best place; however, indoor composting is also possible like a kitchen counter or corner. Most often  one does not find any stench, or any other issues  if any composting is done as per instructions. Once a bin is full, one can use the second one, and this can be alternated. At most, you may need three bins for a family of four, to ensure that all wet waste generated is composted. There are of course few ways wherein you can add earthworms to the composting bin to speed  up the process. But these should only be attempted with guidance from known experts.

Above are the few tips for home composting. The process is same for bigger composting plants which are generally installed for big housing complexes.

Awaiting your comments/feed backs/views.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

15^th July 2020.