Composting Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
| Improves soil quantity and enhances soil structure This means that when compost is mixed with sandy soil, it can improve its capacity for retaining water, which is especially important in hot and humid environments, allowing plants to survive without irrigation. Good compost will also improve plant growth and health. | May attract rats, snakes and bugs Will need to either make it vermin proof, or place it away from human settlements, so not to disturb people, will also need to be careful what is composted, as some waste will attract vermin. It could also be a potential spread of diseases. |
| Is an organic fertilizer and cheap soil conditioner Instead of using fertilizer with chemicals, compost is a great organic alternative, which means you can produce organic crops, it is also much cheaper than using commercial fertilizers and soil conditioners. | Requires initial investment It will require initial funding to set up as well as time to train and monitor, however once established should be low maintenance to manage. |
| Less waste produced, which means fewer garbage pick ups This will contribute to zero waste management for properties, will also reduce garbage collection, which saves the company money, as it is cheaper to compost and dispose through garbage collection. | Composting needs some space Not only does composting need to be placed somewhere where it will not disturb people, composting in general needs space. Also need to consider that composting is a potential fire hazard, so space and regular monitoring is important. |
| Easy to produce Once set up, maintenance is low | Will require commitment The quality and efficiency of compost depends on the ingredients and quantity of organic waste. Composting needs both time and monitoring. |
| Education for your kids Could be a great educational tool for school groups, communities and other to learn about the importance of sustainability. It is also conveys to guests our commitment to the environment | Unpleasant physical appearance and smell It will need to be placed somewhere where it cannot be seen or smelt by guests or neighbours. Therefore placement of composting unit will need to consider the above. |
| Could help with revenue and conservation initiatives Once up and running, could offer to take local businesses organic waste for a small fee. Compost can also be used for reforestation projects, an onsite nursery and even given to local farmers. | Not suitable for all kinds of organic waste Not all food products can be composted and so training, a comprehensive list and other waste disposal methods need to be considered. |
Considerations
Many of the cons listed can actually easily averted. Below is a list of possible ideas/considerations;
- Composting requires work, it is important that we use the correct ingredients (will need a comprehensive list of what can and can’t be composted); we will need to monitor the temperature, moisture and ensure air circulation.
- The ratio of green and brown waste needs to be monitored. Depending on source, ratios can vary, some sources quoting a 1 part green and 1 part brown waste ratio, while others advise a 25:1 ratio of brown and green waste.
- Green waste is waste that is nitrogen rich, such as food scraps, grass clippings and coffee grounds. While brown waste is carbon rich, such items as newspaper, dead leaves, napkins etc. Most sources agree that you need a more carbon based products.
- If your ratio is too far off (a lot of nitrogen or equal parts carbon and nitrogen) your compost pile may begin to smell or if there is too much carbon, this could significantly slow the composting process. A compost pile with the proper ratio should not smell much at all.
- Piles over 8ft tall has the potential of starting on fire. Turning and mixing the pile every few days will keep the temperatures within it even, and prevent things from getting too hot or cold.
- Try to keep it away from direct sunlight. Spray it down with water every so often, especially on hot days, to ensure it stays about as moist as a damp sponge. If the pile is too wet, the microorganism action will slow down as well, so avoid over-soaking your pile.
- If there is limited space, there are other options, such as vermicomposters and compost tumblers, for small scale composting, they are also easily concealed and ‘vermin proof’.
- Not all organic waste should be composted, although red meats, bones, eggs, and dairy products in small amounts are acceptable, they do take longer to decompose. Also, if the compost pile is not well-controlled, it can attract pests to scavenge, and can also increase the spread of disease as these product can carry bacteria’s like salmonella and E.coli. When infected meat is added to compost, the bacteria can spread and be transferred to growing plants. This waste will need to either be thrown away or other methods used. Other methods include hot composting, bokashi bin, food recycler or a vermicomposter. All of which you can safely compost this type of waste.
- To promote and showcase the importance of composting and also to demonstrate V2V and Tribal Sands commitment to sustainability, all waste should be weighed, and a record kept. This will provide good data on how much waste has been composted and not taken to landfills. Furthermore, this data would allow us to calculate how much methane this would produce, which can be used for educational purposes.
- Composting is also a great CSR opportunity as compost can be used for conservation projects and given to farmers to strengthen community relations.