Earth Bin Description of Operations
Below is a summary of the 4 basic steps to the Operation of the Earth Bin.
- An organic “recipe” (i.e., a mixture of food waste and wood chips) is loaded into the Earth Bin™ through the loading hatch or via bucket loader or conveyor from the shredder.
- Once the active composting cycle is complete (approximately 3-4 weeks), the auger discharges the compost through a end door of the vessel. In order to remove all the compost, the dump door is opened and the auger lifts the compost out of the bin. The compost either falls into a 2 yds rolling container or the bucket of the tractor.
- This compost can be used directly as mulch or can be cured (stand in a pile) for 30-60 days before being used as a soil amendment. Screening will make the finished product even finer!
1. Food Scrap Loading
The first step is to make sure that the kitchen waste is collected for composting with as little contamination from plastics, etc. as possible. Hard foods such as pineapples, stale loaves of bread, etc., should be chopped up prior to disposing in the Earth Bin™. Because food scraps are wet, a dry bulking agent such as wood shavings must be added to create a balanced compost recipe.
2. Mixing and Shredding
Once the new material has been added, you are ready to begin mixing. The powered auger system has been designed to take the work out of turning over your compost pile. A complete mix should take approximately 30 minutes, and should be performed at least two times per week.
3. The Active Composting “Baking” Phase
Thermophilic composting at temperatures above 115 F occurs rapidly in the insulated bin. The food waste becomes soft or “baked” at this temperature and is easily shredded by the notched auger. Continue adding material until the bin is full to the top of the auger screw. During this time, the operator should mix the material at least once per week.
4. Unloading and Curing the Compost
Once the compost has finished active composting, it is ready to be unloaded. In order to remove up to two yards of the compost, the dump door is opened and the auger lifts the compost out of the bin. The compost either falls into a 2 yds rolling container or the bucket of the tractor.
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