PowerSwitch

Keela · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 1941 Location: N.Ireland

Just got this one organised:

So far its in the shed!

emordnilap · Posted: Tue Mar 17, 2009 10:12 pm Post subject:

lancasterlad · Joined: 22 Jun 2007 Posts: 358 Location: North Lancashire

Nice work. Keep us posted on the outcomes.
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Lancaster Lad

Who turned the lights off?

emordnilap · Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 5:46 pm Post subject:

Here's another way of dealing with humanure without a compost heap; it's rat-proof.
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I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker

Mark · Joined: 13 Dec 2007 Posts: 1156 Location: NW England

The EU seem to be catching on......

LIFE environment funds have been applied to help increase knowledge about new sanitation technologies that can separate domestic waste elements for reuse as potential fertiliser products and biogas.

Biogas from Sanitation - Life Funding:
http://www.iema.net/news?aid=18819

emordnilap · Posted: Mon May 11, 2009 11:39 am Post subject:

We're thinking of going down the 'plastic dustbin' route for dealing with humanure once our current heap has been running for a year.

My understanding is that small holes are drilled in the bottom of the bin (allows worms in and excess moisture out) and then only thin layers of straw, clippings, sawdust or whatever are required as you fill the bin from the loo. They need to be sited well away from any groundwater.

They could be stood on some kind of collection device for drainage, the results of which might be useful to keep the contents of other bins moist; if this is the case, the compost will need to be 'started' with a shovel-full of older compost as the worms will not be able to migrate in through the holes.

The bins have handles which hold on the lids and assist with moving the bins; also the bins are black which helps absorb heat. The lids help prevent the contents becoming too dry. They can be marked or tagged with start and finish dates.

It somehow makes more sense than building a rat-proof heap, especially if the bins are sturdily made from recycled plastic. I think I'll e-mail Joseph Jenkins for his expert opinion.
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I experience pleasure and pains, and pursue goals in service of them, so I cannot reasonably deny the right of other sentient agents to do the same - Steven Pinker

Keela · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 1941 Location: N.Ireland

@emordilap - Have you been having problems with the system as outlined by Joe Jenkins?

Our pile has still not reached full temperature, but then we've only just started and probably not reached critical mass yet. It is warming up though.

I got a compost thermometer from Harrod Horticultural in the end. (Although I was rather horrified that they charged as much for delivery to N.I. as the cost of the thing itself!)

So far no problems with rodents or dogs. Although I'm thinking of some sort of cover for when it does the torrential rain thing here... I think that rather cooled the heap.

emordnilap · Posted: Tue May 12, 2009 5:12 pm Post subject:

woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 4077

Keela · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 1941 Location: N.Ireland

We added some grass clippings to the heap and that's really got it going. Even cooked the clippings over the centre!

However we fill fewer buckets than we did the first week. I don't think all the family are participating as fully in the scheme as they could! Still, they are getting used to the idea gradually.

Keela · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 1941 Location: N.Ireland

woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 4077

I downloaded it this morning, I've only got to page 48 though. Brilliant book

Keela · Joined: 05 Sep 2006 Posts: 1941 Location: N.Ireland

emordnilap · Posted: Mon May 18, 2009 1:05 pm Post subject:

woodburner · Joined: 06 Apr 2009 Posts: 4077

Reading further, I don't think it's a problem with the conventional heap, only with the plastic bin.

Now I've got the model in my head, I want to get a solid ash toilet seat, but don't want to pay ££££s for it. Homebase did one, so did Plumb Center, but not any more. Any known source?