How to use EM for composting

Using Effective Microorganisms Technology can help reduce composting turning costs by as much as 80% and prevent anaerobic, odour-causing decay. The key to efficient composting is to have healthy decomposition constantly occurring throughout the pile. In all conditions, including low oxygen and anaerobic environments, EM-1 Waste Treatment facilitates healthy decomposition and increased production of stable organic matter particles (humus). Feedstock treated with EM-1 Waste Treatment quickly develop structure and a more fluffy texture allowing oxygen to penetrate into the pile. Anaerobic pockets become aerated and the overall quality of the product is improved while reducing management time and cost. Microbial density and diversity improvements and increased nitrogen availability in composts treated with EM-1 Waste Treatment is discussed below.

Composting is an environmentally conscious method of creating a valuable product out of organic wastes. At present, the fundamental challenge composting facilities face is in properly aerating the piles. Oxygen starts to become limiting in compost piles within minutes of turning and the rising diesel and equipment costs makes turning compost the main management input. Frequent turning also exacerbates odour and dust issues, releasing ammonium and methane gases into the air and in the process losing valuable nutrients and organic mass. This makes for angry neighbours, numerous flies, and a potentially disease inducing finished product.

EM-1 Waste Treatment is compatible with numerous types of commercial composting systems (including in vessel systems), and can be used to effectively treat green waste, livestock waste, food waste, and most other agricultural-industrial wastes that will be composted. EM can also be used at transfer stations for safe and effective odour control.

The following application recommendation are guidelines to producing high quality compost with less intensive management.

1. Apply EM-1 Waste Treatment as soon as the material is consolidated (or windrowed) and preferably before the material has become thermophillic (temperatures above 49 degrees Celsius).
2. These recommended rates of EM-1 Waste Treatment application are guidelines and may need to be adjusted for site-specific conditions and unique feedstock. Activated EM-1 Waste Treatment should be used for all applications due to cost savings.
   
   

   Feedstock	EM-1 Waste Treatment Application Rate per ton	Application Timing
   100% Green Waste	4 l Activated EM-1 Waste Treatment	Day 1
   50% Green Waste/50% Food waste or other agricultural waste (i.e. livestock waste)	8 l Activated EM-1 Waste Treatment	Day 1 (4 l) and Day 14 (4 l)

   
   
3. Add EM-1 Waste Treatment to the water used to hydrate the feedstock. Try to minimize runoff. The material should then be turned for an even EM-1 Waste Treatment application. Dilution of EM-1 Waste Treatment will vary depending on total water volume needed to attain proper moisture.
4. Turn (aerate) the compost once a month until maturity.
5. EM-1 Waste Treatment can be applied at a low rate (1 litre/ton) when compost is mature to further increase microbial density and compost quality.