5.5 Recycling Organic Waste

Question 1

Explain the most efficient method of composting

Answer 1

Mix the waste with oxygen and moisture which allows energy to escape by heating the surroundings

Question 2

How do gardeners speed up the process of composting?

Answer 2

Add worms and layers of garden soil

Question 3

Suggest why councils shred garden waste before putting it into big bins?

Answer 3

Smaller pieces have a larger surface area for the microorganisms to attack, therefore the rate of decomposition will increase

Question 4

Name 3 reasons that recycling organic waste is important

Answer 4

• reduce landfill
• reduce methane production
• recycle minerals and nutrients in the waste

Question 5

What is organic waste?

Answer 5

Waste material from living organisms

Question 6

Name 5 advantages to home composting..

Answer 6

• natural process transform kitchen and garden waste into nutrients for garden
• easy to make and use
• saves global warming gases
• improves soil structure
• at home so less rubbish trucked releasing co2

Question 7

Name 7 disadvantages to home composting

Answer 7

• plastic in compost would prevent decay
• uses energy to heat it to 60*c in order to decompose
• unpleasant smell
• requires investment
• awkward rubbish separation
• need more education on what can be recycled
• need extra trucks to collect compost

Question 8

Why should we recycle organic kitchen waste?

Answer 8

It is effective in providing the nutrients back into the environment, it reduces landfill so therefore it reduces methane production

Question 9

What does a well designed compost heap have?

Answer 9

Holes to allow air in and out and room for soil between the layers of organic waste