There is a need to dispel the misgivings over aerobic composting undertaken at home as people fear that the process may attract rodents and insects besides an unbearable stench.
However, aerobic composting can be a hassle-free process through simple techniques. Dietician Usha Gajapathi Raju takes the viewers through a four-minute digital journey and demonstrates easy methods that can be adopted to convert kitchen waste into aerobic compost. The video made by CitYzen, an arm of Fluentgrid organisation, along with the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Residents’ Welfare Associations (APFERWAS) and GVMC is being watched widely on social media platforms ever since its release last week.
After the earlier video made on waste segregation, members of APFERWAS say that the current short film focuses on inspiring urban dwellers to try their hands at individual composting by spending just five minutes of their time a day. “The aim is to reach out to wider audience and encourage them to be more participative. About 50% of Kirlampudi Layout residents follow segregating wet and dry waste meticulously. Apparently, the composting video will also receive encouraging response wherein the pressure on dump yard will eventually come down,” says Uday Shirname, president of APFERWAS and secretary of Kirlampudi Residents’ Welfare Association.
The presentation on the YouTube has already garnered more than 700 views so far. “Simple techniques such as draining out excess water from the container and retaining right degree of moisture come in handy to convert kitchen waste into home compost. It is also better to avoid adding cooked or raw meat to the manure as it will draw insects and rats. To quicken the composting process, the peels can be chopped finely before adding to the container,” Ms. Raju told The Hindu .
‘Less complicated’
The video clearly explains how a layer of dry (withered leaves, twigs and coconut fibre and papers) waste with an equal portion of kitchen waste that primarily consists of fruit and vegetable peels along with tea and coffee residue can be mixed along with a small quantity of sour buttermilk and stored in a container which should be kept away from direct sunlight. “Earlier, I failed miserably in making composting. Now, after watching the video, I realised that the process is less complicated,” says Vani Gannamani, director of CitYzen.
Inspired by the video, over 40 residents have adopted individual composting in their apartments at Kirlampudi Layout. In line with the smart city initiative, CitYzen is contemplating safe disposal of soiled sanitary napkins and diapers.
