Process diagram #7: How to recycle organic waste to produce fertiliser (compost)

Task 01: Process

The diagram below shows how to recycle organic waste to produce fertiliser (compost).

Model Answer 1:

The diagram illustrates the steps by which to compost recycled from organic waste in order to produce a natural garden fertiliser.

Overall, there are approximately 5 basic steps in the process of making fertiliser at home from recycled organic waste matter, beginning with the preparation of an empty plastic container and ending with composted organic garden fertiliser.

The first stage is to acquire a plastic container of approximately 2m³ that has several holes in the sides to allow air to flow in and out of the container. Next, organic materials such as food scraps, grass clippings , and newspaper are layered inside the container in approximately 15cm thick layers.

Afterwards, hot water and some form of nitrogen are added to the compost to assist in the composting process which follows. During this process air will flow in and out of the air holes on the sides of the container. Approximately six months later, the composted material will be ready to be removed from the container and used in the garden as fertiliser.

(171 words )

Model Answer 2:

The provided diagram illustrates how fertilizer can be produced from organic waste at home. 

Overall, this process comprises five steps, divided into two main stages: pre-processing and composting. 

Pre-processing consists of three steps, with the first one being the preparation of a plastic container. This container is 2 cubic meters in volume and has multiple holes on its body that enable airflow. Moving on to the second step, food, grass, and newspaper are respectively layered into 15cm-tall piles in the container. Nitrogen and hot water are also later added to catalyze the waste decomposition.

Composting includes two steps. First, the mouth of the container is sealed, leaving the waste inside to decay. The heat produced during this process could escape through the holes on the container’s body. After six months, the waste mix turns into fertilizer and is then ready to enrich gardens. The container itself could be utilized to hold soil on top of the fertilizer layer, making room for a garden inside.

(170 words )