To Get the Microorganisms to Work Hard
: learn about the roles of water and air in a composter
Microorganisms obtain energy and grow by breaking down organic matter with their own enzymes.
Microorganisms that use oxygen in the decomposition process are called "aerobic microorganisms."
It's often thought that food waste decomposition inevitably leads to odors and insects. However, if you can maintain your composting environment in a way that aerobic microorganisms prefer, food waste processing will be comfortable.
Aerobic microorganisms decompose organic matter quickly and don't produce odors.
Creating an environment favorable for aerobic microorganisms is the KEY.
In most cases, the microorganisms in composter were simply nearby or have arrived with the food waste.
Garbage-in does not contain any special microorganisms.
While it's not possible to selectively add only the most favorable microorganisms, creating a composting environment favored by aerobic microorganisms will naturally become dominant and promote their activity.
The key to successful food waste decomposition is creating an environment where aerobic microorganisms can work effectively.
AIR Air gaps are necessary around food waste. Microorganisms attach to food waste and become active. They take in oxygen from the air around the food waste and use it in decomposition. The compost pile (bamboo powder in Garbage-in) serves to create gaps for air.
WATER Microorganisms use water in the food waste while simultaneously producing new water. The moisture content of food waste averages 80%. Food waste such as used tea leaves, vegetable peels, and fruit peels contains a lot of water.
During the food waste decomposition process, microorganisms use this water to absorb nutrients and oxygen.
In addition, during the same process, additional water is produced, and heat is also released, converting it into steam. This phenomenon is why compost tends to have high humidity levels.
BALANCE between AIR and WATER Maintaining the Moderate Moisture Level If the amount of food waste is too high compared to the compost pile, the pile's moisture content increases, reducing the air gaps. Without air, anaerobic microorganisms, which do not require oxygen, will proliferate, causing food waste to rot rather than decompose.
In Garbage-in, food waste will decompose smoothly as long as the bamboo powder is kept lightly moist overall. The Garbage-in container is breathable and allows water vapor to pass through, so the moisture generated by food waste decomposition will naturally escape to the outside, where the humidity is lower.
# Caution is required when the outside humidity remains high due to rain or snow.
The water vapor generated by decomposition will builds up and turn into water at the bottom of the container. This water is clear and odorless, unlike the smelly water produced by rotting food waste, but it should be discarded if you notice it.
