Despite composting being one of the best methods of maintaining and enhancing the fertility of your garden soil amongst other benefits of the composting, it does have its own disadvantages too. This article explains some of the disadvantages of composting.
1) It requires initial investment
Equipment such as composting bin and other equipment might be required to begin the process. However, they may not be that expensive and besides, you get to save some money that otherwise, would have been spent on purchasing fertilizer.
2) Its efficiency depends on the amount of organic waste
The efficiency of your compost might be based on the quantity of waste produced. Take for instance, only low levels of organic food waste is produced, the effort associated with the production of compost will not be in agreement with the rewards i.e it won’t worth the stress and all.
3) Composting gives unpleasant smell
Various kind of smell are produced in composting process depending on the kind of organic food waste. The smell can be very uncomfortable and can reduce the overall quality of life of persons inhabiting such place where the compost is.
Instead, you can try not to use certain kinds of food which can produce large amounts of unpleasant gases for composting. Plant waste can be much better in this aspect as the smell won’t be harmful and not very unpleasant.
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4) Rats, snakes and bugs might get attracted
This is another disadvantage of composting. Composting tends to attract different kinds of animals which might be harmful to human health such as snakes. Thus, ensure to be quite careful when setting up your compost bin so as to prevent such animals from infiltrating.
5) Lots of work is involved
Composting requires lot of work such as moving the compost around at least a few times a week so as to ensure proper air circulation. Not only that, lots of certain physical work can add up over time depending on the amount of compost.
6) It takes time
Composting effects is not something that can happen overnight. It requires patience to work out. Not until the food waste is decomposed into useful compost, it can’t be useful yet.
On the basis of the kind of input materials used, the composting process can take from a month to a year until the organic matter has fully decomposed and ready to be used as soil conditioner or fertilizer.
7) Lots of space is required
Composting is a process that requires enough space and so, might not be suitable for everyone most especially those having space constraints.
To carry out composting process, it’s much better if you live in your house with enough space in the surrounding or perhaps, a large flat with a balcony.
8) Composting is not suitable for all kinds of organic waste
Certain organic wastes may be unsuitable for composting process e.g meat. Using meat for composting might attract lots of animals and insects which you wouldn’t want to see in your garden. Thus, composting may only be suitable for certain kinds of organic food waste and not all kinds.
What are the disadvantages of composting kitchen waste?
Composting kitchen garbage has certain demerits despite typically being advantageous. To begin, composting some waste products from the kitchen, including meat, dairy, and oily materials, might attract bugs and produce unpleasant odours.
It can be difficult to keep the carbon and nitrogen levels in the compost pile balanced, which might cause a delayed decomposition process or the release of odorous gases.
Composting takes room, which can be a problem for people who live in flats or urban settings. Additionally, composting may call for routine rotation and supervision, which can be labour- and time-intensive for certain people.
To end, because the decomposition process can release allergens and irritants into the air, composting may not be appropriate for people with respiratory conditions or allergies.
How do you keep your compost pile breathing?
To make compost that is of high quality, proper ventilation is necessary. Large cardboard pieces could obstruct airflow if you throw them in the garbage without first breaking them up. Soaked papers will inevitably soak into the ground during a rain, consume composting piles, and choke it.
Conclusion
Even though composting is an excellent way of getting rid of organic food waste and turning it into fertilizers and soil conditioner, the problems arising from composting process also needs to be put into consideration to help you make a profound decision whether you might find it suitable or not.
Reference
- Benefits and Drawbacks to Composting Organic By-Products, source
- Composting: Advantages and Disadvantages, source
