Question

What is Composting?

Answer 1

Composting is a technique for converting household waste or agricultural waste into compost. It is a waste disposal technique in which biodegradable waste is decomposed by microbes and converted into manure. Fallen leaves, grass, sewage, food waste and biodegradable household waste can be converted into compost by the action of microbes.

Answer 2

1. Composting of waste is an aerobic (in the presence of air) method of decomposing solid wastes.
2. The organic wastes from households are made to undergo decomposition in such a way that bacteria and other microorganisms break them down and produce a safe, clean, and soil-like material called compost.
3. In India, both manual as well as mechanical methods of composting are used.
4. In rural areas, layers of vegetable waste and night soils are alternated in a shallow hole dug in the ground.
5. The mixture is turned regularly for about three months to provide air to the mixture. Then the compost is left for another month without turning for the process to take effect. This method of composting is known as the Indore Method.