Turn food waste into fertilizers!

Criteria met:
1. suitable for domestic use, product is easily replicable
2. infuse the concept of recycling waste
Preamble:
Take a peek into your rubbish bin. You might be disgusted by the sight of the
crumpled papers or the rotting vegetables, but does it ever dawn on you that the
rubbish you are staring at actually has its value?
It is a fun and simple way to recycle these biological food wastes into fertilisers we
can use for our potted plants. This recycling process can be carried out using our
product. The design of the product is largely shaped by the concept of practicality
maximizing the speed of decomposition and at the same time, prevent odour from
escaping into our atmosphere. If food waste can be decomposed into fertilizers with
zero odours emitted, it gives a large incentive for people to recycle their food waste in
a simple and creative way.
Materials needed:
1. Vegetable and fruit wastes (cores, skin etc)
2. Newspaper
3. Scissors
4. Fork
5. Plastic container
6. Coffee grounds/ charcoal
7. Container (cardboard material) without a lid
8. Lid/ cover (plastic/ metallic)
Steps to construct the product:
1. Make several holes on the walls of the cardboard container
2. Spill coffee grounds/ charcoal in the cardboard container
3. Use scissors to cut the vegetable/ fruit waste into smaller pieces
4. Tear/ use scissors to cut the newspaper into small shredded pieces
5. Fill the smaller plastic container with vegetable/ fruit waste as well as the
shredded newspaper
6. Place the plastic container into the cardboard box
7. Cover the cardboard box with a lid
8. Use the fork to stir the mixture three times a week

First, it is essential to understand the key elements for decomposition to occur

Carbon, nitrogen, moisture and oxygen. Carbon and nitrogen are obtained from the
waste content. It is important to have a uniform mixture of greens and browns,
preferably with a ratio of 1:1. Greens refer to vegetables/ fruits waste whereas
browns refer to shredded newspapers. Too much green will smell.
The purpose of the lid is to block direct sunlight and prevent evaporation of moisture
from the mixture. Moisture is necessary for decomposition to take place. The holes
along the sides of the cardboard box allow oxygen to enter. Stirring the mixture
frequently yields faster decomposition. Cutting the vegetables/ fruits waste into
smaller pieces and shredding the newspapers can also increase the speed of
decomposition.
Coffee beans/ charcoals are very effective in absorbing the odour emitted by the
decomposition process.
Tips to improve the quality of fertilisers:
1. Add powdered eggshell to the mixture
Eggshells contain 93% calcium carbonate, hence is a good substitute for lime.
Moreover, calcium is an essential nutrient for plant growth. First, wash the egg shell.
Next, crack the shell into smaller pieces. Finally, grind it using a blender. These
powdered eggshells are beneficial for healthy plant growth.
2. Add powdered charcoal to the mixture
Charcoals are not only capable of absorbing odour; they are also good carbon sink.
They can absorb carbon dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas, hence tackling global
warming issues. A triple benefit is that charcoal enriched fertilisers are many times
more effective than common fertilisers. If used for agriculture, such charcoal
enhanced fertilisers can increase crop yield to 200%.

Papermaking:
http://gort.ucsd.edu/preseduc/papermak.htm
Own toothpaste:
http://www.makingyourown.co.uk/make-your-own-toothpaste-andmouthwash.html
Polish furniture:
http://www.makingyourown.co.uk/make-your-own-furniture-polish.html
Making crafts
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/18896.aspx
Making art
http://www.brighthub.com/environment/green-living/articles/18894.aspx