Composting

I watched this video, on composting and learned the step by step process that goes into the compost creation in the local bay area. To start, the trucks bring all the waste they collect curbside to a location where larger vehicles can take it to the compost facilities. In this case, the trucks are driving from the town of Oakland, or other marin or sonoma county towns, to the town of Novato. When the material from your green waste can arrives at the compost facility they dump the contents into a grinder. Then this newly ground material is piled into compost piles, which need air and water to survive. For 3 to 4 weeks air is pushed into the compost pile maintaining a temperature above 131 degrees Fahrenheit. It cures for about 2 or 3 more months and at the end of that the material is tested for pathogens and heavy metals. The compost is then screened and sold. The one thing that is important to remember if you use your green waste can (and want to aid in the compost making) is to pay attention to what you put in it. Garbage bags are too often wrongly thrown into the green can. Acceptable items include leaves, grass, food, and food soiled paper.