The truth, fact and reality of 24hrs composting machines

24-hour composting machines are the preferred option for individuals seeking to recycle their food waste or organic waste. However, it is crucial to examine the actual effectiveness of these machines. Do they truly produce compost, or do they simply transform the loaded food waste into excessively dried or dehydrated remnants? Read on to know more.

What is Composting ?

Normal decay of any organic material occurs naturally, due to the action of micro-organisms. Some of these micro-organisms (bacteria and fungi) can live without air (anaerobic) and the rest (aerobic) need air to survive and carry out the decomposing of organic material.

General composting of organic matter is a method of speeding up the normal decay processes caused by bacteria and fungi. During this process, bacteria and fungi decompose organic material in a predominantly aerobic (with air) environment. These micro-organisms break down organic material into a stable mixture called compost. Brown to dark brown in colour and odourless, compost is considered an ideal soil amendment.

Material Requirement – The recipe for composting

To survive and effectively do their intended job, micro-organisms that speed up the decaying process of wastes need:

• Carbon and Nitrogen

• Moisture

• Heat

• Aeration

Role of Carbon and Nitrogen in composting

Carbon and nitrogen are key compost ingredients. While the wet waste themselves supply nitrogen, carbon is supplied through the use of carbon-rich bulking material such as Dry leaves, leaves, paper, wood shavings or sawdust.

Carbon and nitrogen, however, must be supplied in proper balance. Without such a proper balance (called Carbon to Nitrogen or C:N ratio), microbial growth is retarded, the rate of composting slows down, and odours can be generated. This proper balance varies between 20:1 and 40:1. Lower carbon: nitrogen ratios (lower than 20:1) may result in emission of ammonia and other odours. Higher carbon: nitrogen ratios (higher than 40:1) may reduce compost temperature and slow down the decomposition process Carbon to nitrogen ratio is the weight of carbon divided by the weight of nitrogen in the composting material. When adjusting C:N ratio of a mixture for composting, the C:N ratio of each added material needs to be considered.

Moisture Content

A proper moisture level is very important for proper composting. Like all living things, bacteria need water to survive. To encourage bacterial growth and rapid composting, the mixture should have 40% to 60% moisture. Lower moisture contents (less than 40%) will result in slow composting rates. Higher moisture contents (above 60%) results in filling all pores needed to provide oxygen with moisture, replacing aerobic bacteria with anaerobic ones that produce high odours and grow much more slowly than aerobic bacteria. Hence, the composting rate becomes much slower.

Role of Heat and Aeration in Composting

The temperature of compost is a very important indicator which shows that the process of composting is working properly. When bacteria begin to break down the organic materials, heat is generated. As the compost warms up with this heat, different bacteria will flourish in the higher temperatures and break down faster. Therefore, it is important to monitor the temperature and maintain it at the proper levels during the different stages of composting. The temperature inside the composter should be above 35˚C and should never be allowed to be lower than this, or to exceed 65˚C. Unlike outdoor composting, this range of temperature is sufficient to kill all pathogens (disease and odour causing bacteria).

Since these bacteria need oxygen, open spaces throughout the composter are important so that air can move through the compost. It is estimated that 5% oxygen (or more) is essential for aerobic action. This level is maintained by maintaining 35% to 50% porosity in the compost; therefore, it is important to maintain the required moisture and porosity to allow some aeration through the vessel.

24hrs composting machine

(Image for representational purpose only. Original copyright with owner)

As the name implies all the manufactrurers of these machines claim that they can convert food waste into compost within 24 hrs. But in reality they just fry the food waste into dry mass or dehydrate the complete waste. Hence it can be called as 24hrs food waste fryer or dehydrator. In the quest for eco-friendly waste management solutions, the rise of 24-hour composting machines has been hailed as a revolutionary step towards sustainability. These machines promise rapid conversion of organic waste into nutrient-rich compost within a day, offering an attractive alternative to traditional composting methods. However, beneath the surface of convenience lies a complex landscape of environmental and social implications that warrant careful consideration.

Accelerated Decomposition: A Double-Edged Sword

While the speed of 24-hour composting machines may seem like a boon, it comes with its own set of drawbacks:

Loss of Nutrients:

The accelerated decomposition process in these machines may lead to the loss of essential nutrients from the compost. Microorganisms require time to break down organic matter fully, and speeding up this process can result in incomplete breakdown, reducing the nutritional value of the compost

Imbalance in Microbial Communities:

Composting is a delicate ecosystem governed by a diverse array of microorganisms. Rapid decomposition in 24-hour machines may disrupt this balance, favoring certain microbial species over others. This imbalance can affect the quality of the compost and its ability to support healthy plant growth.

High Power Consumption:

The power consumption of these machines are always on the higher side due to the heating energy required to remove the moisture or water content from the food waste.

What Happens in 24hrs Composting Machines?

The output of a 24-hour composting machine is merely charred and dehydrated waste. This is where the problem arises. If the waste had been composted under natural conditions, the lignin content would have degraded, reducing its EC value and providing a habitat for microbes. This process would have generated humus, which eventually converts into carbon dioxide and is absorbed by plants. In other words, it follows the natural cycle. Unfortunately, this is not the case with the fryer.

Upon contact with water, this output will release acidic phenols that can negatively impact the soil. It is akin to the lignin waste produced by the pulp industry. The cellulosic component of the plant material will undergo partial decomposition due to heat and oxidation. Despite partially decomposing, the phenolic matter will retain its acidic nature. In contrast, conventional composting processes fully break down these phenolic materials.The soil becomes a magnet for phenolic matter, greedily absorbing all the vital nutrients and suffocating the poor plants. This fascinating occurrence is often mislabeled as “heat,” but it’s far more complex than that.

How 24hrs Composting Machines Destroys the Natural Nitrogen in the Waste?

The traditional method of composting involves removing carbon at a fast pace, while leaving most of the nitrogen untouched. However, when organic matter is heated in a fryer, the protein decomposes more quickly, releasing nitrogen gases in the form of amino acids. Unfortunately, this process leads to a significant loss of organic nitrogen, which is a valuable resource. Currently, organic nitrogen is quite expensive, costing around Rs 300/kg for compost with a 3% nitrogen content. On the other hand, carbon-negative urea with 50% nitrogen can provide the same amount of organic nitrogen for only Rs 50/kg. As a result, there is a growing tendency to excessively use chemical urea, which is detrimental to the soil.Organic nitrogen must be converted into humus or nitrates, and the key to achieving this is through the action of microbes. The composting process plays a crucial role in producing humus, which in turn supports the growth of microbes. These microbes aid in breaking down organic matter to release essential nutrients that are then absorbed by plants. As plants release more organic matter, a dynamic organic cycle is established. However, the fryer disrupts this important process.

24hrs Composting Machines and High EC value

Rehydration leads to sterilization. A high EC value causes phenols to leach out, eliminating microbes and hindering humus formation, preventing nutrient transfer to roots. Phenols also absorb cationic micro-nutrients, starving plants and damaging the soil. This outcome mirrors the effects of excessive chemical fertilizers in Punjab. The product remains intact until rehydration occurs, ligno-cellulolytic microbes break down lignin, and bacteria begin composting.Creating high-quality compost with low electrical conductivity (EC) is essential for promoting soil-less gardening and minimizing carbon emissions. However, fryers hinder this goal. The compost material must be diluted by combining it with soil at ina minimum ratio of 1:500 (24-hour ‘compost’ : soil) to facilitate growth in the medium. Additionally, the energy consumption and associated carbon footprint of operating these machines are significant factors to consider.

Conclusion

Indirectly endorsing the use of 24-hour composting machines also implies endorsing the harm caused to our natural soil system and vegetation. The detrimental consequence might not be apparent at present, but it will be encountered by our descendants. Indian Railway has acknowledged this fact and has transitioned from this misleading propaganda to utilizing natural in-vessel non-heating type organic waste composting machines. Hopefully, all of us will come to the realization and make the appropriate decision.