Comments for Composting Bytes

Comment on Composting toilet and flush toilet? by oikos

oikos — Sun, 27 Dec 2009 14:25:40 +0000

Not every waste water treatment plant directs its sludge to agriculture. Some plants have only primary treatment (screen out the big pieces). Most have secondary treatment, which allows the waste (including laundry detergent) to decompose. A very few have tertiary treatment, which removes the nutrients. Whatever is not removed finds its way into the nearest stream. In a drought year, this can account for about all of the water in the stream.

Comment on Composting leylandii? by dawn l

dawn l — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 11:25:05 +0000

you cant really compost leylandi it takes along time get a mulching machine and put it through it you have then created lots of chipping for your garden these stop weeds comming through and it garden friendly not forgetting saving you money

Comment on Composting toilet and flush toilet? by Brainteaser

Brainteaser — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 07:12:32 +0000

A proper compost toilet has to go 3 m deep . I don’t think it is practical if you live in a skyscraper . It’s possible for country people to use one .A flush toilet is more practical for the average person unless you are into self sufficiency. It shouldn’t contaminate the drinking water unless there’s an accident . However , there is always that risk .

Comment on Can a composting toilet be electricity free? by GABY

GABY — Sat, 26 Dec 2009 06:55:26 +0000

Millions of people do every day.It is a good old fashioned outhouse.

Comment on Can a composting toilet be electricity free? by The winning hand...

The winning hand... — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 19:41:15 +0000

Composting toilets can be purchased in the uk – often used on boats.
They do not need electricity.
You add certain chemicals and then it is clean enough to throw away. Their downside is that they take up a lot of room.

Dont confuse these with Porta Potties they are not the same.

Comment on Composting toilet and flush toilet? by Nelda

Nelda — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 19:34:08 +0000

I am unsure what a composting toilet is.

Most people have a flush toilet where the contents go to a sewerage processing plant. Some plants extract methane gas from the sewerage. And some plants use the end result sludge as fertiliser (as you mention).

I think a composting toilet is used by people who are not served by a sewerage system. Their waste goes into an underground unit but does not go to a common effluent system. I presume it has the ability to process waste to a certain point. But I also presume it must be cleaned out from time to time.

Comment on Composting leylandii? by geisha girl

geisha girl — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 23:27:41 +0000

Probably, yes. Plants that are twiggy or very fibrous take over 6 months usually to compost–sometimes up to a year. We have catalpa pods here in the South that might take 2 years or more to break down.

Leylandii needs to be shredded for composting but is poisonous, so taking them to a landfill is the best option.

See this site:

Comment on Can a composting toilet be electricity free? by Piggy Kiss!

Piggy Kiss! — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:29:57 +0000

why would you want electricity anywhere near a toilet? you wanna get zapped?

Comment on Composting suggestions? by barney

barney — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 02:31:06 +0000

Are you composting year round or just this summer?Also is it for leaves or vegetables? I ask these questions because each style will require a different type of worm.Plus you must take into concideration if you are planning on overwintering your worm supply and keeping your adults reproducing indoors all winter long.Wormfarming is a very interesting ,allbeit,somewhat expansive (not expensive) area requiring a little research to maximize its potential.But it certainly is an interesting and enjoyable additive to your backyard and garden.Here are a couple sites to get you started.Hope i was helpfull,enjoy.

Comment on Composting suggestions? by tony

tony — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 19:28:06 +0000

most of these answers are good, but there is one thing that wasnt mentioned. Worms.

Worms not only help break down the material into compost faster but adds even more nutrients to the compost. Also there is less odor from the pile.