Recycled green waste converted to ericeous compostMon, 26 Jan 2009 20:34:00 +0000An ericaceous compo...

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Recycled green waste converted to
ericeous compost
Mon, 26 Jan 2009 20:34:00 +0000
An ericaceous compost made from
recycled green waste is finally
commercially available for gardeners.The
compost from Vital Earth is said to be the
first of its kind on the market.It includes
humite, a mineral which helps to lower and
stabilise pH at around 6 - in addition to the
companies popular organic, slow release
fertiliser.The main ingredient of the
composts is the composted green material (composted botanical residues, from licensed municipal
council green waste collections).How green waste is converted into high quality organic compost
using a digester After selecting and mixing the raw material to the appropriate carbon, nitrogen and
moisture ratios, Vital Earth loads the mix into 40 cubic metre stainless steel digesters for a seven-
day composting cycle. Air flow in the digesters ? the critical element in successful composting - is
directed by co-ordinated inlet and exhaust fans which are regulated by an automated control system
designed specifically for the composting process. The system receives regular temperature readings
from internal probes and adjusts the speed of the fans in line with changes to the temperature of the
compost. The process requires the material to reach a temperature of 65C twice for at least two
consecutive days, thereby ensuring full sanitisation of the compost. All data from the digesters is
logged on computer and downloaded each night, so providing total traceability throughout the
process. By way of a natural method of filtration widely used in the composting industry, the exhaust
air from the digesters is extracted through a wood-chip biofilter where any odours are filtered out.
Following initial composting, the material in the digesters is emptied into large maturation buildings
where the compost matures in batched and fan-aerated rows for a further seven weeks. The process,
once again, is monitored and controlled by remote probes linked directly to the computer.
Maturation inside rather than in the fresh air eliminates contamination from air-blown weed seeds,
other contaminants and animals. It also allows Vital Earth to control moisture levels during the
wettest winters and driest summers, so ensuring throughout the year a consistent product for our
final blending and bagging process, yielding consistently high quality compost.Definitely worth a try
if you are struggling to produce enough compost in your own garden!

2. http://www.homefeeds.org/feeds/31064.html