HOLE(Y) Bin series: Part 7
“Two HOLE(Y) Bins”
The spirited volunteers of Gandipet village in Telangana, managed to convert a nearby unsegregated waste dump yard with the stench emanating from decomposing and burning, into an effective waste management system that handles all the segregated WET waste in their composting unit. The DRY recyclable waste, is sent to a waste management enterprise. They share the compost produced by the village residents and whatever remains, they sell them. The proceeds then go into a welfare fund. A drop in the ocean, but this powerful act gives hope for possible change in one’s outlook towards the benefits of segregated waste.
All one needs to do is follow the norms of the natural world. Look around, you will see fallen leaves, insects, and tiny creatures dying and decomposing in the open all the time with no noticeable stench, whatsoever! This is because the process of degradation and decomposition is taking place in the presence of the oxygen-rich air.
What if, a similar natural environment of the living world is created in one’s balcony to compost kitchen waste by providing an optimum condition (adequate air circulation, proper drainage, microbial activity and the right temperature) favourable for composting, most of the time? This is where the concept of two “HOLE (Y) Bins” comes in, as its design and function simply simulate the wonders of nature. Soil!
“HOLE (Y) Bins” can be set up anywhere and it is very cost effective. All it requires is one’s imagination to build or select two non-reactive containers made of either, bricks, rocks, old plastic buckets, wooden crates, even potter’s earthen pots will do. The shape and size are according to one’s requirement, but the height is no more than 3 ½–4 feet. To facilitate adequate air circulation and proper drainage of fluid essential for aerobic decomposition of the waste, air pockets or holes are drilled all over the container: base, side and even top if it has a lid. If bins are placed in a balcony, then they need to be placed on a raised stand or a platform with a collecting bowl below to collect the compost tea (leachate) that is formed as the decomposition process progresses. Leachate is a liquid manure that can be given to plants.
Once the HOLE(Y) Bin is ready, prepare two layers, before starting with composting process. First, the base needs a padded layer of fibre, like coconut husk, straws, old cooler pads, dry leaves and twigs, not thicker than 1/5th of the container. Since, fibres take longer to decompose, the base pores do not get clogged with the decomposing kitchen waste and remain open, ensuring proper drainage of excess fluids. Next, a thin layer of manure-soil, or Gobar khad needs to be spread. Sprinkling little water over it activates the soil microorganisms that kick-start the decomposition process, the moment the chopped biodegradable kitchen scraps are added to the bin, daily. A good compost has Carbon: Nitrogen:: 30:1 ratio and this is easy to maintain by adding equal or less of browns, i.e. Carbon like dry leaves and others to the Nitrogen-rich greens of the kitchen waste. Less of browns is okay but not more, as excess Carbon slows down the decomposition process.
Depending on the size of the bin and the kitchen load, it takes a few months to fill up the bin. Before closing the bin with a light cover, top it with a few handfuls of soil or Gobar Khad and another fibre padding to retain moisture. For uninterrupted composting do initiate the second HOLE(Y) bin before closing the first one. By the time the second bin fills up, the compost in the first HOLE(Y) bin will be ready!!!!
Follow simple precautions to get a stench free, nutrient-rich compost, especially if it is done in one’s balcony. The kitchen waste should be free of any kind of non-biodegradable materials or it will initiate anaerobic decomposition. Also, avoid adding cooked food, non-veg food (it requires hot composting), sweet and oil into the bin. Egg shells and tea leaves are always welcome. Occasional stirring and mixing are advisable. If ever there is a stench, a thick layer of dry, gritty soil cover will tackle the issue and do the needful.
A similar procedure can be followed for garden waste, but on the ground. They can be either piled up in one corner or stacked in wired mesh cages or crates. Since it is primarily rich in carbon, they tend to dry up; hence, occasional sprinkling with water and adding soil or Gobar Khad enhances the composting process.
The speed of the composting process depends on the outside temperature. Hot pile can be created by adding more browns and even covering the top to prevent the heat to escape. But at the same time too much heat can kill the microbes and stop the composting process all together. With experience one tweet and learns the tricks!
Individuals and communities need to adopt and implement segregation at source and proper handling of waste. This Eco-Responsible behaviour can significantly decrease one’s carbon footprint and increase the handprint to take care of the one and only home we all share….The Earth!
Let’s be that change!
By Nita Ganguly, National Coordinator — Waste Management, Climate Reality India, Educator and Author
