How to Use the Compost Calculator
- Enter the amount of kitchen scraps in kilograms (kg) in the "Kitchen Scraps" field.
- Enter the amount of yard waste in kilograms (kg) in the "Yard Waste" field.
- Enter the size of your compost bin in cubic feet (cu ft) in the "Compost Bin Size" field.
- Click the "Calculate" button to estimate the composting time.
- The estimated composting time in days will be displayed in the "Estimated Composting Time" field.
Working Principle
The calculator estimates the composting time based on the amount of organic materials and the size of the compost bin. The formula used is:
Composting Time ≈ (Kitchen Scraps + Yard Waste) / Compost Bin Size * 30 days
This formula assumes an average composting cycle of 30 days per unit of material per cubic foot of bin space. The more material you have, the longer it will take to compost. Similarly, a larger bin size will reduce the composting time.
Tips for Effective Composting
- Balance your compost pile with equal amounts of green (nitrogen-rich) materials (e.g., kitchen scraps) and brown (carbon-rich) materials (e.g., yard waste).
- Keep your compost pile moist but not waterlogged.
- Turn your compost pile regularly to aerate it and speed up the composting process.
- Use a compost thermometer to monitor the temperature of your compost pile, which should be between 130-160°F (54-71°C) for optimal composting.