Rapid Kitchen Compost as a Soil Amendment

Description

Reencle composters have been shown to greatly decrease food volume within 24 hours, producing a product that resembles compost. The objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of this compost as a soil amendment. Recommendations are to allow compost to remain in composters for 48 hours before removing, followed by 3 weeks of curing the compost in a 4:1 soil: compost mixture before it is used in gardening. Prior research has demonstrated that 3 weeks of curing is comparable to a soil control, but 8 weeks may be more optimal. This study will compare soil and potting mix controls to soil-compost mixtures cured for either 8 weeks or 3 weeks. Each will have a no fertilizer treatment and two treatments with different fertilization rates. One fertilizer rate will be a nitrogen and sulfur treatment which has been seen in previous studies to be the nutrients deficient in the compost, while the other will be a complete fertilizer treatment. Plant growth of dwarf tomatoes and cucumbers will be assessed.

Objectives:

1. Determine the effectiveness of kitchen compost as a soil amendment 
2. Determine the proper curing time for compost inside and outside of the composter Why its important 

Why it is Important

1. According to the USDA, an estimated 30-40% of food is wasted in the United States. This amounts to 60.3 billion kilograms of food wasted in 2010 alone. Food waste in the landfill produces methane, a greenhouse gas, produces toxic leachate, takes up space, and has an unpleasant odor. 
2. Composting is a great way to reduce food waste; however, traditional compost piles are inconvenient, smelly, time intensive, can attract pests and rodents, and are slow to produce a usable product. Reencle composters alleviate these concerns by creating compost rapidly in small, countertop sized appliances. 
3. Not only does producing compost reduce food waste, but it creates a valuable soil amendment that improves soil health, soil nutrients, water retention in soils, and improves soil structure, all of which are beneficial for plant growth. Usage of compost allows less fertilizer to be used, reducing the environmental harms that come with fertilizer use.